WWE Hall Of Famer Dory Funk Jr. Passes Away At Age 85
The professional wrestling world is mourning the loss of one of its most respected legends.
According to the Ocala Gazette, WWE Hall of Famer Dory Funk Jr. passed away on Tuesday at the age of 85. The report cited Funk’s wife, Marti Funk, who stated that her husband died while under hospice care.
News of Funk’s passing quickly led to tributes from across the wrestling industry, with fellow wrestlers, organizations, and fans honoring his remarkable career and lasting influence on the business.
Wrestling World Pays Tribute
The Cauliflower Alley Club was among the first organizations to publicly honor Funk, sharing a memorial graphic on social media and remembering him as:
“A champion, a teacher, a gentleman, and an ambassador for our great sport.”
The CAC mourns the passing of one of professional wrestling’s true legends, Dory Funk Jr.
A champion, a teacher, a gentleman, and an ambassador for our great sport, Dory Funk Jr. leaves behind a legacy that will forever be remembered by wrestlers and fans around the world. pic.twitter.com/8ryT4Wn70b
WWE Hall of Famer Brian Blair also paid tribute on social media, sharing memories of his longtime friend and reflecting on Funk’s impact on professional wrestling.
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… pic.twitter.com/2kClxA4Yxb
Dory Funk Jr. began his wrestling career in 1963, working for his father Dory Funk Sr.’s Western States Sports promotion.
Over the following decades, Funk built a reputation as one of the sport’s premier technical wrestlers, competing throughout the United States and internationally. His success in Japan helped establish him as one of the most respected performers of his era.
One of the defining accomplishments of his career came in February 1969 when he captured the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Funk held the title for more than four years, making him the second-longest reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion behind only Lou Thesz.
Success Around The World
Throughout his career, Funk competed for numerous major promotions, including:
All Japan Pro Wrestling
ECW
WCW
WWF/WWE
WWC
His relationship with All Japan Pro Wrestling was particularly notable, with multiple runs for the promotion spanning from the 1970s through the 2010s.
Although he officially retired in 2017, Funk continued making occasional appearances. His final match took place in August 2024 when he teamed with Osamu Nishimura in a victory.
Teacher And Mentor To Generations
Beyond his accomplishments inside the ring, Funk was widely respected for his work training future wrestlers.
In later years, he operated the Funking Conservatory in Ocala, Florida, where he helped develop aspiring talent and passed along decades of wrestling knowledge to the next generation.
Funk’s death comes less than three years after the passing of his younger brother, wrestling icon Terry Funk, who died on August 23, 2023.
Memorial Service Planned
According to the Ocala Gazette, a private service will be held for family members in the coming days.
A public memorial service honoring Dory Funk Jr.’s life and legacy is planned for Thanksgiving Day, with additional details expected to be announced at a later date.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, Dory Funk Jr. leaves behind a legacy that spans generations and helped shape professional wrestling around the world.
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