Terry Funk death updates — Ric Flair joins WWE icons and fans mourning Road House star but cause yet to be revealed
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TRIBUTES are pouring in for legendary wrestler Terry Funk after his death at age 79.
Multiple fans and WWE stars have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to pay tribute to the Hall of Famer, as former WWE champion Ric Flair wrote: "In My Entire Life, I’ve Never Met A Guy Who Worked Harder.
"Terry Funk Was A Great Wrestler, Entertainer, Unbelievably Fearless, And A Great Friend! Rest In Peace My Friend Terry Funk Knowing That No One Will Ever Replace You In The World Of Professional Wrestling!"
WWE legend Mick Foley posted a tribute to social media calling the Road House actor his "mentor" and "idol," saying in part, "He was the greatest wrestler I ever saw."
Dory Funk Jr, Terry's brother, wrote on X: "My Brother Terry Funk was all in with life and Loved pro wrestling and his fans- Terry has been Blessed with 2beautiful loving and supportive daughters All my Love to my brother Terry."
Fans have also mourned Terry with one writing: "The greatest to ever do it R.I.P. Terry Funk."
The star's cause of death has not been made public.
Follow our Terry Funk death blog for news and updates...
Dory Funk Jr shares tribute
Dory Funk Jr paid tribute to his brother, Terry Funk, on X, formerly known as Twitter.
What to know about Terry Funk’s brother
Dory Funk Jr is a former professional wrestler born on February 3, 1941, in Hammond, Indiana.
He is the brother of the late Terry Funk and their father Dory Funk.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Dory Jr, wrestled professionally for over 50 years.
While wrestling, he and his family opened the Funking Conservatory Professional Wrestling School in Ocala, Florida.
Dory Jr coached WWE wrestlers including Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Lita, Kurt Angle, Ted DiBiase, and many more.
As of August 2023, Dory Jr continues to coach incoming talent at the Florida school.
Terry leaves behind two daughters
Throughout Terry and Vicki Ann's long marriage, the pair welcomed two daughters together.
Both Stacy and Brandee attended their father's alma mater, West Texas A&M University, but chose different careers.
Stacy was born in 1967 and works as an air hostess for Southwest Airlines.
Brandee was born in September 1971 and is a registered nurse living in Phoenix.
Mick Foley honors Terry Funk
WWE star Mick Foley added to the tributes for Terry Funk on social media.
He posted a photo of the two on Instagram and wrote: “WE JUST LOST A LEGEND.
“Terry Funk is gone. I just talked to Terry’s daughter, Brandee, who gave me the awful news. He was my mentor, my idol, and one of my closest friends. He was the greatest wrestler I ever saw.”
“If you get the chance, look up a Terry Funk match or a Terry Funk promo, and give thanks that this incredible man gave so much, for so long, to so many. There will never be another like him. May God bless Terry, his friends, family and all who loved him. RIP my dear friend – it was an honor to know you. #RIPTerryFunk”
“I will be writing much more about Terry in the next few days.”WWE Superstar pays tribute
WWE superstar Sami Zayn has paid tribute to Terry Funk on X, formerly known as Twitter, by remembering him as a "truly unique performer for the ages."
WWE Superstar pays tribute
WWE superstar Sami Zayn has paid tribute to Terry Funk on X, formerly known as Twitter, by remembering him as a "truly unique performer for the ages."
Terry Funk’s wrestling career
Terry Funk rose to fame in the wrestling world in 1965.
He competed in the All Japan Pro Wrestling, the WWE, the WCW, and the ECW.
Funk won various championships during his time as a competitive wrestler.
Terry Funk’s wrestling career
Terry Funk wrestled for a plethora of wrestling companies throughout his career.
Below are all the companies the icon fought for:
- Western States Sports
- Championship Wrestling from Florida
- All Japan Pro Wrestling
- WWE
- WCW
- International Wrestling Association of Japan
- ECW
- TNA
- Independent Circuit
WWE star honors Funk with sign
Video of CM Punk taping AEW collision shows him paying his respects to Terry Funk from inside the ring.
The wrestler is seen in footage holding a sign that says "Terry Funk Forever."
Terry Funk’s early life
Terry Funk was an American professional wrestler born on June 30, 1944, in Hammond, Indiana.
He was the son of the late professional wrestler, Dory Funk.
While attending West Texas A&M University, Terry competed in amateur wrestling as well as played football.
Training with his father, Tery began his wrestling career when he fought against Sputnick Monroe in 1965.
Mick Foley and Terry Funk were a tag team
Mick Foley teamed up with Terry Fun for a tag team known as “Chainsaw Charlie” in the late nineties.
The duo feuded with popular tag teams The New Age Outlaws and D Generation X.
Funk and Foley captured the tag team titles together for a short time during their partnership.
WWE shares statement
WWE has honored Terry Funk with a statement on social media.
The organization wrote: “WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk has passed away at the age of 79.
"WWE extends its condolences to Funk’s family, friends and fans.”
Fans mourn icon
WWE fans have flooded X, formerly known as Twitter, to pay tribute to the late Terry Funk.
Did Terry and Vicki have any children?
Throughout Terry and Vicki's long marriage, the pair welcomed two daughters together.
Both Stacy and Brandee attended their father's alma mater but chose different careers.
Stacy was born in 1967 and works as an air hostess for Southwest Airlines.
Brandee was born in September 1971 and is a registered nurse living in Phoenix.
Wrestler appeared in Road House
In addition to his career in wrestling, Terry Funk dabbled in acting.
He appeared in the 1989 action film Road House with Patrick Swayze and Sam Elliott.
Who was Terry Funk's wife, Vicki Ann?
Terry married his longtime wife, Vicki Ann on August 14, 1965, at the start of his wrestling career.
The two were going strong before Vicki Ann sadly passed on March 29, 2019.
WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase broke the news in a statement reading: "My heart is broken and goes out to my good friend and mentor, Terry Funk. Terry's wife, Vicki, passed away yesterday evening."
"Terry and Vicki were like second parents to me. There aren't words to express how much they both have meant to me. RIP Vicki."
Terry Funk’s wrestling career
Terry Funk rose to fame in the wrestling world in 1965.
He competed in the All Japan Pro Wrestling, the WWE, the WCW, and the ECW.
Funk won various championships during his time as a competitive wrestler.
Mick Foley shares heartbreaking post
WWE star Mick Foley added to the tributes for Terry Funk on social media.
He posted a photo of the two on Instagram and wrote: “WE JUST LOST A LEGEND.
“Terry Funk is gone. I just talked to Terry’s daughter, Brandee, who gave me the awful news. He was my mentor, my idol, and one of my closest friends. He was the greatest wrestler I ever saw.”
“If you get the chance, look up a Terry Funk match or a Terry Funk promo, and give thanks that this incredible man gave so much, for so long, to so many. There will never be another like him. May God bless Terry, his friends, family and all who loved him. RIP my dear friend – it was an honor to know you. #RIPTerryFunk”
He added: “I will be writing much more about Terry in the next few days.”Ric Flair pays tribute
WWE icon Ric Flair paid tribute to Terry Funk on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Flair shared photos of himself with Funk and wrote: “In My Entire Life, I’ve Never Met A Guy Who Worked Harder.
"Terry Funk Was A Great Wrestler, Entertainer, Unbelievably Fearless, And A Great Friend!
“Rest In Peace My Friend Terry Funk Knowing That No One Will Ever Replace You In The World Of Professional Wrestling!"
Terry Funk dead
Wrestling icon Terry Funk has died at the age of 79.
Funk was widely recognized as a WWE star and NWA World Heavyweight Champion.
WWE legend Terry Funk has died at 79Credit: Instagram / Terry Funk Dory Funk Jr shares tribute
Dory Funk Jr paid tribute to his brother, Terry Funk, on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Terry's brother married twice
Throughout Dory Jr's life, the longtime wrestler married twice.
In June 1960, Dory Jr married his first wife Jimmie. The two welcomed three children together before divorcing in 1983.
While married to Jimmie, Dory Jr met his second wife, Marti, in 1980.
The two tied the knot in 1989 and later welcomed two children.
Dory Jr and Marti have remained married as of August 2023.
Dory Jr vs Terry
Throughout their long career in wrestling, the Funk brothers hadn't competed against each other.
However, for most of their active years, the two competed together as a team.
When the two joined the WWF, Terry went on to compete in other franchises while Dory Jr stood.
It wasn't until 1990, that Terry and Dory Jr returned to the All Japan Pro Wrestling as a team.
The following year, Terry went back to America to compete and Dory Jr partnered up with Al Perez.
In 1994, the two reunited to tag-team in 1994 and once more in 1997 at the Extreme Championship Wrestling promotion.
When Dory Funk Jr started wrestling
Dory Funk Jr began his wrestling career in 1963 when he joined his father's wrestling promotion, Western States Sports.
In 1986, Dory Jr made his WWF debut as a team alongside his brother, Terry.
The Indiana native went on to compete in Extreme Championship Wrestling in 1994.
Due to his successful wrestling career, Dory Jr was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.
Dory Jr retired from the sport in 2017.
What to know about Terry Funk's brother
Dory Funk Jr is a former professional wrestler born on February 3, 1941, in Hammond, Indiana.
He is the brother of the late Terry Funk and their father Dory Funk.
Following in his father's footsteps, Dory Jr, wrestled professionally for over 50 years.
While wrestling, he and his family opened the Funking Conservatory Professional Wrestling School in Ocala, Florida.
Dory Jr coached WWE wrestlers including Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Lita, Kurt Angle, Ted DiBiase, and many more.
As of August 2023, Dory Jr continues to coach incoming talent at the Florida school.