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The professional wrestling world is saddened to learn that legendary icon and WWE Hall of Famer Dory Funk Jr. passed away on August 4th, 2026, at the age of 85. His wife, Marti Funk, confirmed that he passed away while under hospice care at his home in Ocala, FL.
Born Dorrance Earnest Funk on February 3rd, 1941, he quickly became one of the legendary wrestlers in the Funk family. He was the son of Dory Funk Sr. and the older brother of Terry Funk.
One of his most notable achievements was when he held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship for 1,563 consecutive days between 1969 and 1973, marking the second-longest unbroken title reign in NWA history. Him and his older brother Terry also made history as the only siblings to both hold the NWA World Championship.
Dory worked as a renowned promoter as well as eventually coming to the WWF/WWE as a tag team alongside his brother Terry. He became a trainer at his Funking Conservatory, training other future legends of professional wrestling. Then, The Funk Brothers were inducted by Dusty Rhodes into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 4, 2009. Dory wrestled his final professional match on August 24, 2024, in Japan at the age of 83.
The WWE main website posted the following:
WWE is saddened to learn that Dory Funk Jr., a WWE Hall of Famer and influential wrestling trainer, has passed away.
A member of the legendary Funk wrestling dynasty, they didn’t come much tougher or more respected than Dory Funk Jr.
The Texan started developing his wrestling business acumen and grappling mastery at a young age, driven hard by a caring father, Dory Funk Sr., whose own experience between the ropes made him an ideal mentor and role model for his impressionable son.
“As a kid, I used to dream I could do all the things my father could do,” Funk said during a 2007 interview with WWE. “I wanted to be just like him.”
Alongside his younger brother Terry, Dory earned a distinguished reputation as a marquee attraction in sports-entertainment as both a tag team and singles competitor.
He won numerous championships over a career that lasted more than half a century, most notably a four-year run as NWA World Heavyweight Champion, which ranks behind only Lou Thesz for the longest reign in that title’s history.
He regularly competed across the United States and Japan and also served as a promoter in both countries. His travels ultimately brought him to WWE for a run that was highlighted by The Funks’ victorious effort at WrestleMania 2 against Tito Santana and Junkyard Dog.
Dory eventually followed in his father’s footsteps by opening a wrestling school, the Funking Conservatory, which served as a veritable talent pipeline into WWE’s Attitude Era and beyond. Funk helped train Superstars like Kurt Angle, Edge, Christian, The Hardy Boyz, Mark Henry, Mickie James and more. He owned and operated the Funking Conservatory with his wife, Marti, whom he married in 1989.
Along with brother Terry, Dory secured his place in wrestling lore when The Funks were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by longtime friend Dusty Rhodes in 2009.
WWE extends its condolences to Dory Funk Jr.’s family, friends and fans.
Alongside the WWE and the professional wrestling industry, we at the BSB offer our deepest condolences to Dory Funk Jr’s family, friends and all the fans of the Funk wrestling dynasty.
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