He lived a life of love, honour and strength leaving a legacy of greatness
Eulogy
Eulogy ~ Read by Danielle Drew
Kevin, or “Hanshi” to many, was born in Stanmore in 1961 to his beloved parents James and Elizabeth, delivered by his grandmother Decima, a nurse at Braeside Maternity.
He was a cherished stepson to Janet, loved son-in-law to Les and Robin, and a devoted husband to Xanthe for 28 years.
Kevin was a proud and loving father and father-in-law to Rebecca & Lucus, Amy-Lee & Will, Alysia & David, and Phoebe. He was the most fun and caring Pa to Lily, Indi, Angus, Evie, Austin, Kai and Zeke.
He was a much-loved brother and brother-in-law to Fay, Christopher, Josephine, Chrys and Paul, stepbrother to Adrian, Brian, Ruth and Belinda, and a loving uncle to Samuel, Luke, Amelia, Nikki, Carden, Matthew, Taneisha, Mitchell, Jayden, Courtney and Tyler.
Kevin had a huge impact on those around him. A bright spirit, larrikin and teaser, he was always true to his word and loyal to the end. He loved to make people laugh, like the time on the way to Ellenborough Falls he pulled over, wound down the window, and asked a cow for directions.
Despite his many achievements, Kevin was humble and always eager to learn. He embraced all cultures, travelling to more than 20 countries to study and share martial arts. He often joked he had “the best job ever—kicking people in the head and getting paid for it.” Yet his favourite times were simple: walking the beach with family or sitting by Lake Macquarie in quiet reflection.
He moved often—30 homes across different towns—but his fondest memories were of the family farm at Cumnock. As a boy of four, he once wandered off, leaving his clothes by the dam. After hours of frantic searching by family, neighbours and police, he turned up at nightfall, well rested from a nap in a tree. His mother, Elizabeth, calmly dressed him—then gave him a spanking all the way home!
The Cumnock farm remained his favourite childhood home. Later moves took the family to Orange, then Cargo. Kevin lived in Orange throughout his young adult years into his 40s before moving with Xanthe and their young daughters to Port Macquarie, which became home for the next 18 years. In 2022, after becoming empty nesters, Kevin and Xanthe made the move to Teralba, Newcastle, to be closer to family. This is where he was to spend his final days.
Kevin's believed in ‘Facta non Verba’ — “Actions, not words.” A family man above all, he was fiercely protective of his daughters, saying, “If someone hurt one of my girls, it would be the last thing they did.” Thankfully, no one ever tested him. He believed “the best gift you can give your children is your time,” and he lived that truth by making time and memories count.
He often joked his dream of being surrounded by beautiful women came true, thanks to Xanthe and his four daughters. Having a loving family was his greatest joy and achievement.
Kevin loved sport, especially footy. A loyal Parramatta Eels fan, he would say “there’s always next year,” focusing on the highlights even when they lost. He enjoyed cricket as a boy—though he only ever let his sister Fay bowl, never bat. He often said golf would have made him rich but admitted he had no patience for putting, channeling Happy Gilmore with his wild swings.
He loved telling stories and striking up conversations anywhere. In Disneyland’s Cars ride queue, he turned a two-and-a-half-hour wait into deep chats with strangers about their cultures and lives. He took every opportunity to learn and grow.
Kevin’s dearest and oldest friend Robert Christian, who showed him around Orange Public in Year 6, has been his best mate for over 50 years.
Proud of his Orange High days, he attended recent reunions to reconnect and reminisce. Though once told by a school counsellor he’d never amount to more than a labourer. I think it's safe to say Kevin proved her wrong—and often said in hindsight she did him a favour by spurring him on.
One of his most treasured memories was a family holiday to Tasmania with his parents and Fay when he was 12. Soon after, his mum was diagnosed with cancer, making that trip especially dear to him.
Kevin loved listening to all sorts of music—70s and 80s rock like the Eagles, CCR, The Beatles, The Cars, Fleetwood Mac and Aussie classics—and never missed Countdown. He swapped his bicycle for motorcycles as a teen, raced endurance cross-country, loved water skiing, and sought out anything daring.
Though he wanted to be an electrician, colour-blindness meant he had to change paths. Kevin built a rich career: farmhand, builder, carpentry teacher, martial artist, coach, senior building inspector and investigator.
His true passion was martial arts. He began Judo in 1969, amateur boxing soon after, and Karate in 1972.
In 1989 he founded Kumiai Ryu Martial Arts System. With the support of those who believed in him and his vision, KRMAS grew into his extended family. In 2014, he was awarded 9th Dan Black Belt and will be posthumously receiving his 10th Dan Black Belt this year at the Annual National Camp. Kevin taught thousands, inspired many, and has left a legacy that will live on and on.
He believed in “Making Good People Better.” At last year’s Hanshi Awards, receiving a custom ring, he said with emotion, “It was always about you.”
Through his cancer journey, Kevin remained the optimist. He wanted to be remembered for his strength of character and kindness, and took comfort in knowing his clinical trial treatments would help others in the future.
We are forever grateful for his love, humour and guidance.
Rest easy at the dojo in the sky, Hanshi Kevin — until we meet again.
Osu!
Gallery
Videos
Memory wall
Words cannot sum up all the amazing moments that made you so special. You were always there to guide me, to empower me and protect me. We laughed so hysterically together at the weirdest things; I miss this the most. You always made me feel so very special.
Thank you for trusting me to be your wife and choosing to share your precious life with me.
You always said you didn't want us to visit your resting place too often, you would rather we remember you in every moment of our day to day lives. You will forever remain in our head and our hearts, this poem truly reflects those sentiments xx
"Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep" by Mary Elizabeth Frye
"Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight
I am the soft stars that shine at night
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there; I did not die.
In Loving Memory
we honor the life of a remarkable man — a father, a friend, and now, a guardian from above. Dad, you faced your battle with cancer with courage, grace, and a quiet strength that inspired everyone around you. Even as your body grew tired, your love for us never wavered.
You left behind so much more than memories — you left a legacy of kindness, laughter, wisdom, and strength. And most beautifully, you left two little miracles who will carry your light into the future: your twin granddaughters.
Though they are too young to fully understand the depth of your love, we will make sure they grow up knowing who you were — the way your eyes lit up when you held them, the stories you dreamed of telling them, the lessons you longed to pass down.
You may not be here in person, but your spirit lives on — in our hearts, in our homes, and in the tiny footsteps of those precious twins who will always know you as their Pa.
We miss you more than words can say. But we are comforted in knowing your love surrounds us still — a guiding light, forever strong.
Rest easy, Dad. Your story continues in all of us.
One photo could never be enough to honour a man as remarkable as Hanshi.
David and I feel deeply privileged to have been given the opportunity to capture even a glimpse of the KRMAS memories of Hanshi. Through these moments, we are reminded of the extraordinary man he was — a man who enriched the lives of everyone fortunate enough to have known him.
Thank you, Hanshi, for your friendship, your guidance, and the unforgettable memories you leave behind. You will forever be remembered with love, respect, and admiration.
Rest in Peace, Hanshi.
Here is the link to some of our cherished memories of Hanshi: https://photos.app.goo.gl/3D3nezWre21euv34A
I’ve got heaps of funny and fond memories, but one that always makes me laugh was back in China on the 2018 training tour. It’s a bit cringe but that’s what made it funny. It was around the time you first got Facebook, and we came up with this little competition. We’d put up a post at the same time and then see who could rack up the most likes. Throughout the day while we were training or exploring, we’d check in with each other and ask ‘How many are you on now?” I can’t even remember who won but it was probably you hahahaha. The funniest part is we done this more than a few times. 😆😆
Like many, I’ve learned many things from Hanshi Kevin. This is just some of what I’ve taken from the great man, and I’m sure some will relate:
- No matter how you feel, just keep showing up.
- Discipline = results.
- Stay strong even when you feel weak.
- Keep going even when you want to give up - “A black belt is a white belt who never quit.”
- Be brave. Good things happen when you step outside your comfort zone.
- Take the wins from the losses. It’s OK to make mistakes. Learn from them.
- Have fun. You don’t always have to be so serious.
- Be consistent.
- Loyalty is important.
- Don’t over-complicate things. Do the basics really well (in martial arts and in life).
- Energy is contagious. If you’ve had a bad day, leave it behind before you step onto those mats.
When life gets tough and I’m sure it will for all of us at some point, I’ll draw from the strength, lessons, and wisdom you’ve shared. I’ll ask myself, How would Hanshi approach this? And I know the answer: you wouldn’t complain, whinge, or say why me? You’d front up, stand tall, take it head-on, and ‘just get on with it’. This is what I’ll aspire to be like.
What I will miss the most is your witty humour - the quick one-liners, the inside jokes, the fictional characters (eg. Gazza but there were more 😆), the stories that only you could tell, and the laughs that seemed to fill the whole room. Those moments will echo in my memory for the rest of my life.
May your spirit, your lessons, and Kumiai Ryu live on through us all.
One last thing… Thanks for getting your nephew, Sensei Sam Blundell to bash me all those times in sparring back in the day. Now I understand 😆.
OSU! 🙏
Love always
Sensei Sam Cobourn
Rest in peace
There were times in my life when I was my own worst enemy—when I lost direction, when the weight of life threatened to pull me under. In those moments, he was there. Without judgement, without hesitation, he extended a hand, a word, or sometimes just a quiet presence that said, I believe in you. He saved me from myself more than once, and I will never forget that.
He cared deeply for the people he taught and the friends he made along the way. His influence reached far beyond the dojo walls—into our families, our communities, and our lives. His lessons went far beyond techniques and katas; they were about strength of character, about standing tall in the face of adversity, and about giving your best to the world around you.
To me, he was more than an instructor. He was a guide, a role model, and a constant source of wisdom and encouragement. And now, though he is no longer here in body, I know he will live on in every movement I perform, every lesson I pass on, and every life I touch. His spirit is in the bow before training, in the laughter after class, and in the quiet moments of reflection when I realise how much he gave to me.
I will miss my friend. I will miss my teacher. But I will honour him every day—on and off the mats—by living the values he stood for, and by striving to be the kind of person he believed I could be.
Donate
https://donate.mylifehouse.org.au/fundraisers/alysiablundell/in-memory-of-hanshi-kevin-blundell
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