Dory Funk Jr.: key obituary facts
Is Dory Funk Jr. dead? Yes. Dory Funk Jr. died on August 4, 2026, at age 85.
Cause of death: Dory Funk Jr.'s cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Dory Funk Jr. known for?
He was an American professional wrestler and trainer.
More about Dory Funk Jr.
Born: 3 February 1941.
Place of birth: Hammond.
Gender: male.
Nationality: United States.
Education: West Texas A&M University.
Awards: WWE Hall of Fame, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.
Father: Dory Funk.
Career began: July 1963.
Also known as: Dory Funk, Jr., Dorrance Earnest Funk.
Dory Funk Jr., the American professional wrestler and trainer known for his work in NWA and AJPW, died on August 4, 2026, aged 85.
Born Dorrance Earnest Funk in Hammond, Indiana, he began his wrestling career in July 1963 and went on to become one of the sport’s enduring figures, capturing the NWA World Heavyweight Championship once and holding the title long enough to rank second only to Lou Thesz in the division’s all-time reigns. He also won the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship and the CWA World Heavyweight Championship, was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009, and later served as chairman of the Pacific Wrestling Federation for All Japan Pro Wrestling while running the Funking Conservatory wrestling school.