All of our instructors are certified by the American Karate Black Belt Association.
Meet our TKI Instructors

Besides her assisting teaching at TKI, she elected to use her blocking and kicking skills to help develop a set group of movements to assist Parkinson’s Patient in a sitting atmosphere. She worked with YMCA out of the Plainview Center, to help set up a one (1) year karate after school program at Oak Grove Elementary, Brownfield, Texas.
Specialty Weapon: Chinese War Fan

Specialty Weapon: Nunchakus

Master Liles served for 17 years within Lubbock ISD as a Theatre Arts teacher at Hutchinson Middle School and the Technical Theatre teacher and director at Lubbock High School. He now works at Texas Tech University in the School of Theatre and Dance.
Specialty Weapon: Sais and Nunchakus

Specialty Weapon: Bokken/Katana

first stepped onto the dojo floor, igniting a passion for Karate that would shape much of
his life.
Robert tested his skills in over 30 Karate tournaments, where triumphs were celebrated
alongside the lessons learned from defeats. His search for challenge led him to the
unforgiving arena of full-contact American Kickboxing from the ages of 15 to 17 where
after a few wins’ injury halted his progress. He continued his training in Karate where he
was promoted to the rank of 4th Dan Black Belt in December of 2022.
Beyond the realm of martial arts, Robert finds fulfillment in his roles as a devoted father
to two remarkable children and his career as a Crop Insurance Adjuster.

Specialty: Combative Techniques

Specialty: Hapkido



Specialty Weapon of choice - Staff

Specialty Weapon choice - Nunchaku


During my early training years in Lubbock, I had the honor of learning under a great array of instructors including but not limited to David Archer, Bob Potter, Rick Vaughan, David Ellis, Andy White, David Powell, Charles Bouton, and now Grand Master Tom Downs. In 1973 I was promoted to 1st Dan Junior by Bob Potter, Rick Vaughan, and two visiting black belts from Dallas named Ronnie Cox and James Toney. During the next several years our family traveled back and forth to Dallas an I had the opportunity to train with many fine TKI foundation instructors. In 1978 I moved to Houston to attend college at the University of Houston. I noticed some class electives offered martial arts. That is where I met Kim Soo. I worked with him for four years and was promoted to 2nd Dan under him. I made frequent trips back to Lubbock and tested for 3rd Dan in 1987 under Charles Bouton and Richard Jenkins. Over the next 20 years I co-trained in both systems. When my law enforcement career ended, I moved back to the Dallas area where I resumed my training with Keith Yates, JPat Burleson and my new friend William Shelton. Several promotions were received during this time-period.
Listed below are my current rank and systems of training.
8th Dan American Karate (J Pat Burleson)
8th Dan IsHogai Jujitsu (Duane Ethington)
7th Dan Sheltonryu (William Shelton)
6th Dan Tae Kwon Do Mu Duk Kwan (Hong Chong Soo)
6th Dan Tae Kwon Do Chung Do Kwan (AKBBA CSHK)
6th Dan Kyoshi Dai-NiGojuryu (Charles Bouton)
5Th Dan Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan (Jae Chul Shin)

Lubbock Local
Since 1968
Texas Karate Institute opened its doors in March 1968 and has been training Lubbock, Texas and surrounding communities in the Martial Arts since its grand opening. Texas Karate Institute of Lubbock is the last remaining location with this name in the state of Texas and is currently the longest consecutively running martial arts school in the country.