The Von Erich family is a wrestling dynasty known for their success and tragedy in the world of professional wrestling. Patriarch Fritz Von Erich (real name: Jack Adkisson) was a wrestler and promoter who founded World Class Championship Wrestling in Texas. He had five sons who followed in his footsteps and became wrestlers: Kevin, David, Kerry, Mike, and Chris Von Erich.
The Von Erich brothers achieved great success in their careers, becoming fan favorites and drawing large crowds to their matches. However, the family also suffered devastating losses, with three of the brothers tragically passing away at young ages. David died in 1984 at 25 from a stomach ailment, Mike died in 1987 at 23 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and Chris died in 1991 at 21 from suicide.
Despite the personal tragedies, the Von Erich family’s legacy in wrestling continues to be remembered and honored by fans and the wrestling community. They are remembered for their talent, charisma, and the profound impact they had on the world of professional wrestling.
Jack B. Adkisson (Fritz)
Jack Barton Adkisson, better known as Fritz Von Erich, was born on August 16, 1929, in Jewett, Texas. He was trained by Stu Hart and quickly rose to become a top star in various National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) promotions, particularly in St. Louis and World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW). In the 1960s, he held the AWA World Heavyweight Championship.
Although Fritz never won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, he was a dominant force in the NWA, holding numerous other major titles. He briefly served as NWA President in the 1970s and later became the President of WCCW when it relocated to Dallas, Texas. Fritz also played a key role in Japanese wrestling, where he was known as “Tetsu no Tsume” (“The Iron Claw”) and helped revive the industry following the death of Rikidōzan.
Fritz married Doris on June 23, 1950, and together they had six sons before divorcing on July 21, 1992. He passed away on September 10, 1997, after battling lung cancer that had metastasized to his brain.
Dorris
Doris (Smith) Adkisson was born in Louisiana on November 18, 1932. She was the mother of Jackie Adkisson, Kevin, David, Kerry, Mike, and Chris Von Erich, who were all professional wrestlers for World Class Championship Wrestling, owned by their father Fritz Von Erich.
Doris always longed for a normal, quiet life and wanted her boys to know they could always come home. Though she hesitated, she supported her sons and occasionally appeared on the wrestling program. The family was beloved by fans and the people of Texas, where the promotion was based.
She passed away on October 23, 2015 in Kapaa, Hawaii, USA.
Jack Jr
Fritz Von Erich’s eldest son, Jack Barton Adkisson Jr., was born on September 21, 1952. Tragically, at the tender age of six, he passed away in Niagara Falls, New York, on March 7, 1959. The heartbreaking accident occurred when he stepped on a trailer tongue, suffered an electric shock, and tragically fell into a melting snow puddle, where he drowned.
Kevin
Kevin Von Erich, also known as “The Golden Warrior,” was born on May 15, 1957, in Belleville, Illinois. He’s Fritz Von Erich’s second oldest son and the last one still with us.
Kevin made his mark in World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), where he tangled with wrestlers like Chris Adams, The Fabulous Freebirds, and Ric Flair. Fans loved his body scissors and iron claw moves, not to mention his barefoot wrestling style.
He tied the knot with Pamela J. May on August 1, 1980. They have four awesome kids – daughters Kristen Rain and Jillian Lindsey, and sons David Michael “Ross” and Kevin Marshall. Now, Kevin’s a proud grandparent to thirteen grandkids.
David
David Von Erich, known as “The Yellow Rose of Texas,” was the third son of Fritz Von Erich and was born David Alan Adkisson on July 22, 1958, in Dallas, Texas.
David made a name for himself in World Class Championship Wrestling, taking on legends like Harley Race and Ric Flair in matches for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, though he never clinched the title. He also teamed up with his brothers Kevin and Kerry to battle The Fabulous Freebirds. Additionally, David competed in Missouri, where he snagged the Missouri Heavyweight Championship a few times. In the early ’80s, he headed to Florida and had a successful heel run, securing titles in both singles and tag team competitions.
He tied the knot with Candy L. McLeod on June 26, 1978, and they had a daughter, Natosha Zoeanna, on October 19, 1978. Unfortunately, their baby passed away shortly after birth, and David’s marriage ended in divorce on July 12, 1979. David later wed Patricia A. Matter on June 8, 1982, and they remained together until his untimely death.
Tragically, David passed away on February 10, 1984, in Tokyo, Japan. While the official cause was listed as acute enteritis, there have been speculations in the wrestling community that it may have been a drug overdose. A tribute show was held in his honor a few months later, during which his brother Kerry Von Erich claimed the NWA World Title from Ric Flair.
Kerry
Kerry Von Erich, Fritz Von Erich’s fourth son, was born Kerry Gene Adkisson on February 3, 1960, in Niagara Falls, New York. Known as “The Modern Day Warrior” and “The Texas Tornado,” Kerry was the most prominent figure in the Von Erich family.
Kerry’s wrestling career mainly revolved around World Class Championship Wrestling, where he engaged in fierce rivalries with Gino Hernandez, Iceman Parsons, Chris Adams, and The Fabulous Freebirds. At the David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions, he achieved great success by capturing the NWA World Heavyweight Title from Ric Flair, though he lost it back to Flair three weeks later. Kerry also ventured into the World Wrestling Federation under the name “The Texas Tornado,” winning the WWF Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam in 1990.
He tied the knot with Catherine “Cathy” Murray on June 18, 1983, and they welcomed two daughters, Hollie Brooke and Lacey Dawn, who later pursued wrestling as Lacey Von Erich. However, Kerry and Catherine eventually separated, finalizing their divorce on April 22, 1992.
Kerry faced significant challenges following a motorcycle accident in 1986, which led to the amputation of his right foot. Despite this, he continued wrestling with a prosthetic foot, keeping the amputation hidden from most fans and peers. Unfortunately, Kerry struggled with addiction issues, multiple arrests, and personal turmoil, ultimately tragically taking his own life on February 18, 1993.
Mike
Mike Von Erich, born Michael Brett Adkisson on March 2, 1964, in Dallas, Texas, was the fifth son of Fritz Von Erich and later known as the “Inspirational Warrior.”
Following David’s passing, Mike stepped in to continue the feud with The Fabulous Freebirds, despite his initial preference to work as a cameraman for World Class instead of wrestling. Facing immense pressure to fill David’s shoes and live up to his brothers’ legacy, Mike struggled with the weight of expectations.
In 1985, Mike married Shani Danette Garza on February 14 but later divorced the same year. Unfortunately, he faced health challenges after injuring his shoulder during a tour in Israel, leading to complications from surgery and toxic shock syndrome that resulted in brain damage and significant weight loss. Despite these setbacks, he tried to make a comeback in wrestling, but a car accident in 1986 added to his injuries.
Despite ongoing health issues and personal struggles, including a DUI arrest, Mike tragically passed away around April 12, 1987, in Denton County, Texas. Missing for several days, he was found to have consumed a fatal mix of tranquilizers and alcohol, with authorities determining his date of death as the Sunday following his release from jail.
Chris
Chris Von Erich, the baby of the Von Erich clan, was born Chris Barton Adkisson on September 30, 1969, in Dallas, Texas. Standing at just 5’5″ and dealing with asthma and bones that seemed to break easily, Chris had a tough time making it big like his dad and brothers in wrestling. Even with his unwavering passion for the sport, the odds were against him.
Despite his love for wrestling, Chris faced his fair share of challenges. He tried to make a name for himself in the ring but encountered setbacks due to his injuries. He had a bit of a showdown with Percy Pringle in the USWA/World Class, but things didn’t quite take off as they did for the rest of his family. Every now and then, he teamed up with his brothers and Chris Adams for tag-team matches, usually facing off against Percy Pringle and Steve Austin. Chris mainly wrestled Pringle, while the more athletic guys like Adams, Kerry, or Kevin took on Austin.
After struggling to break through in wrestling and dealing with the loss of his brother Mike, Chris found himself battling with some serious mental and drug-related issues. Sadly, on September 12, 1991, at just 21 years old, he made the heartbreaking decision to take his own life. Despite the efforts of his brother Kevin and mom to help him out that day, Chris left behind a note and was found to have cocaine and valium in his system. It was a rough ending for a young guy who just couldn’t catch a break.
Sites and Locations
Dallas Sportatorium
During the 1950s, the Sportatorium in Dallas was a popular venue that hosted a variety of country, rockabilly, and rock-and-roll performers. The lineup included local talent as well as rising stars like Hank Snow, Hank Williams, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and many others. Regular Jamboree guests such as Charline Arthur, Sonny James, and Hank Locklin also graced the stage.
Aside from musical acts, the Sportatorium also became legendary for hosting wrestling matches featuring iconic figures like Gorgeous George, “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers, Fritz Von Erich, Johnny Valentine, and Wahoo McDaniel. It was said to be the site of the first cage match in wrestling in 1962.
In 1966, Jack Adkisson, known as Fritz Von Erich in the wrestling world, partnered with McLemore and took over promotions after McLemore’s passing in 1969. This led to the creation of World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) in 1982, which gained international popularity through taped broadcasts of matches at the Sportatorium.
The program, broadcast across the United States, featured stars like the Von Erich family and other wrestling greats such as Chris Adams, The Fabulous Freebirds, Ric Flair, and more. Tragedies within the Von Erich family and changes in the wrestling industry eventually led to the decline of WCCW and the closure of the Sportatorium in 1990.
After its closure, the Sportatorium saw sporadic use for smaller promotions and music concerts until a fire in 2001 caused extensive damage. The building was demolished in 2003, marking the end of its storied legacy as a renowned music and wrestling venue.
Take me to this place
410 W Shady Shores Rd, Shady Shores (Former Location)
Kerry had become addicted to painkillers following his accident and amputation. This also led to two drug-related arrests. The first resulted in probation and the second saw Kerry facing the risk of time in prison. Instead of going to trial, Kerry returned home to his father’s ranch and died by suicide, firing one single bullet into his heart.
Take me to this place
Lake Dallas High School
Located a short distance from their family house, the Atkisson boys attended Lake Dallas High School.
Graves
All the Von Erichs / Adkisson family members are buried at Grove Hill Memorial Park in Dallas Texas.
