The style of Goju Kyokai was founded by Jimmy E. Bartell, Soke around 1979. Although he taught Goju Kai for many years previous he founded his own style, Goju Kyokai. (Pronounced – "go-jew-key-oh-kie") Goju Kyokai loosely translated means “hard soft combined house”. Hard and soft styles of karate combined into one house, or federation.

Bartell Soke trained with Shui Hidaka, Howard Newmeyer, Tom Anguay, Master Peter Urban, Chuck Farley among many others. During his last years Bartell Soke trained in 29 Palms, California. He passed away in 1992 providing a legacy and path for future aspiring karateka.