Sifu Deric Mims first developed a love for Martial Arts, when his mother took him to a local Karate Tournament. As a young Deric Mims looked around, he noticed all the competitors were wearing white, except for one group. This group was wearing all black. They were doing moves quite different from the others. Moves he thought were magical. From that, day on Deric was completely hooked. In 1969 at the tender age of fifteen, he joined Lee’s School of Kung Fu/Karate. Sifu Mims buried himself in the practice of Jow Ga. In the summer months, he would spend every single day at the school. From nine o’clock in the morning to nine o’clock in the evening, he practiced nothing but kung fu.  Sifu Mims was a perfectionist, if he felt a movement wasn’t correct, he would practice it for hours until he got it right.  Sifu Mims was instrumental in popularizing Kung Fu in the metropolitan area, by consistently wining tournaments, locally as well as nationally. He was the first to introduce the Jow Ga Mui Faa Sem Bin (Plum Blossom Double Chain Whip) to the tournament circuit. Sifu Mims was so proficient in the weapon that Sifu Chin gave him the nickname “Steal Whip Knight”

As a young man Sifu Mims wanted nothing more than to practice and teach kung fu.  Master Chin however understood the importance ofan education, and at his encouragement persuaded a reluctant Deric Mims to attend junior college at Ellsworth Community College.  It was there that Sifu Mims took on students and opened the Jow Ga Kung Fu Association Iowa Branch.  On April 5th 1975, Sifu Mims and the Iowa Branch hosted the first Iowa All Martial Arts Exhibition; the first of it's kind in Iowa.  Upon his return, Sifu Mims started assisting Master Chin in teaching at the association.  In 1982, Master Chin appointed Sifu Mims, Vice-President and Assistant Chief Instructor.  In 1979 he served as Head Coach for the US Demonstration Team, who won 1st place at the First Asian Kuoshu Tournament in Taipei, Taiwan.  As time past, Sifu Chin went into semi-retirement and turned over the day to day operatioons of the Association to Sifu Mims.  In 1986 after the death of Master Chin, Sifu Deric Mims became the 3rd Generation Chief Instructor of the Jow Ga Kung Fu Association.

Sifu Mims is a pioneer in promoting traditional Chinese Martial Arts in America. He is the most senior Jow Ga Master in the metropolitan area, and as been in several international martial arts publications. He was the founding Chairman of the North American Chinese Martial Arts Federation. In 1985, Sifu Mims served as Wu Shu Planning Officer for the US Wu Shu/Kung Fu Team. The team went to X’ian, China and won a bronze medal. Sifu Mims has also held such positions as; member of the National Rules Committee of the AAU Chinese Martial Arts Division, Vice President of the U.S.W.K.F Region 2 and, Chairman of Special Programs for Region 2.

Inside Kung Fu Magazine referred to Sifu Mims as “one of the most influential men in Chinese Martial Arts”. To this day Sifu Mims continues to strive for excellence in Chinese Kung Fu. The dedication and sacrifices he has made continue to inspire all that train with him.

Sadly in 2007, Master Deric Mims closed his hands and retired from teaching. Master Mims contribution to Jow Ga and Chinese Martial Arts is unparralled, his teachings will live in all his students.

He is a true Kung Fu Man.