Dory Funk, Sr.
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| Birth name | Dorrance Wilhelm Funk |
|---|---|
| Born |
May 4, 1919 Hammond, Indiana |
| Died | June 3, 1973 (aged 54) Amarillo, Texas |
| Cause of death | Myocardial infarction |
| Alma mater | Indiana State University |
| Spouse(s) | Dorothy Funk (divorced) Betty Funk (his death) |
| Children | 3; including Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Dory Funk The Outlaw Dory Funk Sr. |
| Billed height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Billed weight | 230 lb (100 kg) |
| Debut | June 16, 1943 |
| Retired | April 26, 1973 |
Dorrance Wilhelm Funk (May 4, 1919 – June 3, 1973) was an American professional wrestler. He is the father of wrestlers Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk.
Funk was an Indiana high school state champion amateur wrestler for three years at Hammond High School in Hammond, Indiana, as well as an Indiana State University Amateur Athletic Union champion for one year.
Funk began his career as a professional wrestler after serving in the United States Navy during World War II, starting in the southwest United States. He wrestled primarily in the Texas territories and the Central States territories during his career. Mainly a junior heavyweight, he fought Iron Mike DiBiase, Mike Clancy, Danny Hodge and Verne Gagne. After Dory Jr. won the NWA Heavyweight championship in 1969 he was at ringside for many of his son`s title defences.
After retirement he became a promoter with Doc Sarpolis in Amarillo, Texas, where he led a thriving wrestling scene which produced many stars, including his sons Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk, as well as Stan Hansen, Harley Race, Gene Kiniski, Tully Blanchard, Ted DiBiase, Tito Santana, Bruiser Brody, Jumbo Tsuruta and Genichiro Tenryu. Many of his wrestlers had played football at West Texas State University in nearby Canyon, Texas. Funk had a good business relationship with All Japan Pro Wrestling founder Shohei Baba, which led Funk's talent pool to useful international experience.
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