Dory Funk Jr. Passes Away

Dory Funk Jr. passed away on Tuesday, August 4, with Funk's passing being announced by B. Brian Blair:

"It's hard to find the right words to say goodbye to a man who became a mentor, a leader, and a dear friend, Dory Funk Jr. My love for him started all the way back as a kid at the Bayfront Center, booing him as the ultimate heel while he took on my hero Jack Brisco. He was an absolute legend who commanded respect just by being himself. My heart goes out to his wife, Marti, and his family. You will be deeply missed, Dory. I know God is welcoming you with open arms. Rest easy until we meet again," Blair wrote.

Funk's wife, Marti, confirmed to the Ocala Gazette that Funk passed away under hospice care. Funk was 85 years old.

Born Dorrance Earnest Funk on February 3, 1941, Funk was the son of wrestler and promoter Dory Funk Sr. and the older brother of Terry Funk. He made his pro wrestling debut in 1963 and established himself as one of the best technical wrestlers of his era.

His greatest achievement came on February 11, 1969, when Funk defeated Gene Kiniski to capture the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship. Funk would hold the title for more than four years, defending regularly in that time against names such as Dick Murdoch, Lou Thesz, Bob Orton, Nick Bockwinkel, Antonio Inoki, Mil Mascaras and Harley Race, with Funk dropping the belt to Race after 1563 days as champion.

Dory and brother Terry would become major stars in Japan, wrestling for AJPW, and they competed together in the WWF during the 1980s, with Dory performing as Hoss Funk. They were both inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.

Funk continued to wrestle frequently until 2017 and he briefly set the record for the oldest male wrestler to ever compete in a sanctioned pro wrestling match in 2024 when, at the age of 83, he teamed with Osamu Nishimura to defeat Atsushi Onita and Raijin Yaguchi in a Double Hell Current Explosion Death Match that paid tribute to Terry Funk.

Those who have paid tribute to Dory Funk Jr. since his passing include Triple H, Nattie Neidhart, Nick Aldis, Matt Hardy, and the Cauliflower Alley Club.