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Monday, November 2, 2015

Remembering Doris "Von Erich"

Kevin, Kerry, Doris, Mike and David Von Erich
Courtesy: The Von Erich Family
By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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The matriarch of one of wrestling's greatest families has died.  Doris "Von Erich" Adkisson died last month in Hawaii surrounded by her son Kevin and his wife and children.  She was 82 years old.  There's a wonderfully written piece by Robert Wilonsky that includes interviews with Kevin and his daughter, Kristen.  Mrs. Adkisson will be laid to rest November 11 in her home state of Texas.

World Class Championship Wrestling was one of the first promotions I started watching at age 10.  The Von Erich brothers, especially Kerry,  hooked me immediately.  The family had just started a feud with the Fabulous Freebirds that remains one of the greatest rivalries of all time.  

Family photo
Courtesy: The Von Erich Family
I don't recall Mrs. Adkisson ever being written into the storylines, but I do remember seeing her on TV at some point.  When I think of all the tragedies she endured as a mother, I've concluded she was one of the toughest people on the planet.  Five of her six children preceded her in death.  She and Fritz lost a son named Jack when he was just a boy.  Then as adults we mourned with the family as David, Mike, Chris and Kerry all died.


The next generation
Courtesy: TNA
The family continues to stay in the wrestling world.  Several years ago granddaughter Lacey (Kerry's youngest daughter) tried her hand at the business.  Now Kevin's two sons, Marshall and Ross Von Erich continue to make a name for themselves.  I'm sure Mrs. Adkisson is with her boys and smiling down on her family beaming with pride as they carry on the family name.  Godspeed to the entire family as they remember a mother and grandmother who appeared to be as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside.  Rest in peace Mrs. Adkisson.

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