The city of San Diego and the global martial arts community are mourning the loss of one of its most beloved and accomplished members, Grand Master Orned “Chicken” Gabriel. The man who inspired generations through his martial artistry, mentorship, and leadership, passed away on Sunday, April 13, 2025, after a long illness. He was 74 years old.
He was born in San Diego, California, on August 26, 1950, and raised in Logan Heights, a tough neighborhood growing up. His martial arts life and career spans more than five decades, encompassing numerous styles and competitions from both coasts, of the United States, as well as Far East Mexico. His love for the martial arts could be characterized as an avocation matched by his genuine interest in helping others learn self-defense and discipline. But “Chicken”, as everyone knew and called him, loved the Lord, and he would stop and have a word of prayer with you at the drop of a hat. God was always a part of what did. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church for many years and his home-going celebration will take place there on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 11AM.
It was at the young age of 14, that a family friend, Elmer Logan, first piqued his interest in learning martial arts. Logan had formerly studied under Martial Arts instructor Jong Lee, an expert in a Korean style, Tae Kwon Do. It was during 1967 that Orned founded a martial arts school in San Diego and decided to take formal classes under Black Belt Martial Artist, Jim Kelley. Later Mr. Kelley distinguished himself as a Black Belt Champion, instructor to actors and actresses, and with a short film career, with a starring role in the movie “Enter the Dragon”, with the legendary Bruce Lee. Orned “Chicken” Gabriel studied with Mr. Kelley for more than two years.
As a Black Belt, Chicken won trophies too numerous to count for kumite (fighting) forms. He was on the American team that competed in Tokyo at the “Asian Championships” in 1978. He was the first American to win at this event of the previous 39 entries. His knockout of his opponent brought the Asian title to America.
He taught and developed some of the finest tournament and full-contact fighters of that era. One notable student was Steven “Nasty” Anderson, a Black Belt Hall of Fame member and winner of Ed Parker’s International Karate Championships several times. Chicken developed 25 Black Belt martial artists during his career. In August 2024, he received the prestigious Frank Trejo Lifetime Achievement Award for Martial Arts excellence.
Commenting on his passing the following statements were made by two of his peers:
“Orned ‘Chicken’ Gabriel was more than a martial artist, he was a cultural force. His legacy is imprinted on everyone he trained and inspired. His presence will be missed, but his values, discipline, courage, and humility will continue to shape generations of warriors”. – Grand Master Curtis C. Brown, Jr.
“Chicken taught us that fighting was never just about power, it was about spirit, intention, and respect. He brought a fierce heart and a joyful soul to everything he did. He was a brother in every sense of the word.” – Grand Master Rey Leal, Black Belt Hall of Fame Inductee.
Orned “Chicken” Gabriel was the co-founder of the United Karate Federation (UKF), an organization built around achievement, fun, family, and friendships. Even as he achieved the rare rank of Tenth Degree Black Belt, he remained most proud of the positive impact he had on others and the strong community he nurtured.
He is survived by his son and two sisters and continued to reside in San Diego until his passing.