Bobby Whitlock

As I prepare for the 40th CAC in Las Vegas, I look forward to meeting with Rob Moore ... my webmaster. I also will cherish the reunion of my brothers and sisters of the canvas. I hope to see a lot of the people there that enjoy this column on a weekly basis. You won't be able to miss me ... I will be the one with the biggest smile in the room. See you there !!!!!--Percival

This past week, the wrestling world lost another great one. A Father, a Grandfather and a good friend. Bobby Whitlock was a fantastic performer inside the squared circle. He was as tough as shoe leather and definitely had the tools to be a great wrestler.

The memories of Bobby as a friend and the brother I never had will go forward into time with me to my rest. Even though we were on opposite sides of the ring when we wrestled, we gave each other a certain respect and admiration for our profession.

I first met Bobby in the fall of 1967 in Mobile while managing Big Stan Frazier (Uncle Elmer / Mississippi Plowboy / The Convict). Along with some of the greats that the Gulf Coast could muster, Bobby held his own against the likes of The Monroe Brothers, Joe and Bill Sky, The Interns with Dr. Jerry Graham and Cowboy Bob Kelly.

It was an urgent phone call from Detroit that caused me to leave Alabama and go back to the Great Lakes area. I didn't see Bobby again until I went to Kansas City to be with Angus Campbell (Black Angus), and that was in the fall of 1971.

He was one of the super people that wrestled in all phases of the cards promoted by Gust Karras and Heart of America Sports. He had the pleasure of being on the first card that I appeared on in Kansas City. Altogether, during the two and a half years I was in there in the Midwest, he was our opponent on at least fifty cards in one way or another. He would sometimes team up with Steve Bolus or Omar Atlas or Bob Geigel.

Bobby ... you will be missed by a lot of people. Rest in Peace, Brother.

Bobby Bard Whitlock, Sr., of Hattiesburg, MS passed away April 3, 2005 in Biloxi, MS at the age of 68.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Katherine Whitlock, two brothers, June and Tom, and two infant siblings.

He was born in Hickman, KY on July 29, 1936. He was baptized at West Fraser Baptist Church in Memphis, TN, where he was a member. He served almost six years in the Air Force. He was stationed in Texas, Missouri, Newfoundland, and England.

After the military he became a professional wrestler, starting his career with the Roy Welch Wrestling Association in Nashville, TN. He traveled the Mid-Western and Southern regions of the United States as well as Mexico and Japan. After retiring from the sport of professional wrestling, he went into various roles of Law Enforcement until his retirement.

He is survived by his daughter, Melissa (Tim) Coons of Shelbyville, KY, and his son, Bobby (Lorena) Whitlock, Jr. of Versailles, KY. He leaves behind four grandchildren and four sisters. His surviving sisters are Louise Gibbel of Harrisburg, PA; Margaret Smedley of Harrisburg, PA; Daisy King of Kansas City, MO; and Mary Eason of Martin, TN. He was loved dearly by his many nieces and nephews. In his passing he also leaves behind a long time companion of nine years, Rose Stortz of Hattiesburg, MS. They shared the joy of her three children, Jeff Stortz of Robertsdale, AL; Johnathan Stortz of St. Charles, AR; and Jennifer Johnson of Mobile, AL and seven grandchildren.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers
2004 CAC Honoree