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Terry Funk passes away at 79 years old

Posted: Aug 24th 2023 By: Ian Carey

One of the most beloved professional wrestlers of all time has died.

Terry Funk passed away today at 79 years old.

Mick Foley wrote on social media that the news was confirmed to him by Funk's daughter Brandee.

"Terry Funk is gone. I just talked to Terry’s daughter, Brandee, who gave me the awful news," Foley wrote. "He was my mentor, my idol, 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," he continued.

The wrestling world has been paying tribute to Funk in the wake of news of his passing:

Considered one of the greatest workers and on interviews in wrestling history, Funk was inducted into the inaugural Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 1996. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2009.

Funk has been honored by numerous other wrestling organizations as well including The Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame (1995), WCW Hall of Fame (1995), NWA Hall of Fame (2009), and the St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame (2010).

Funk also was given the Iron Mike Mazurki Award by the Cauliflower Alley Club in 2005 and The Hardcore Hall of Fame that same year. He was inducted into the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2021

He also received The Tokyo Sports Lifetime Achievement Award in 1983.