Doris Adkisson: What Happened To Kevin Von Erich’s Mother?

Doris Adkisson is the woman who gave birth to retired professional wrestler, Kevin Ross Adkisson commonly known by his ring name, Kevin Von Erich. Doris was also married to the late professional wrestler, wrestling promoter, and the patriarch of the Von Erich family Jack Barton Adkisson Sr., better known by his ring name Fritz Von Erich.

Doris Adkisson: Bio Summary

Who Is Doris Adkisson?

Doris Adkisson is the mother of Kevin Von Erich and the former wife of Fritz Von Erich. She is also known as Doris J. Smith or Doris Juanita Smith Adkisson. She was born on 18 November 1932, in Louisiana, USA. She is the daughter of Carey O’Bryan Smith and Eron Jane Johnson Smith, per sources.

Doris Adkisson is the sister of Nancy Joe Smith Boettcher and David Eugene Smith. There isn’t much information about her early life and childhood experiences. Regarding her education, she attended Crozier Technical High School and that is all we have for now.

Details of Doris Adkisson’s career are unknown but she became the matriarch of the beloved wrestling family, the Von Erich family. She became a wife and mother to her sons whose lives and deaths have been told and retold countless times.

Also Read: Pam Adkisson: Who Is Kevin Von Erich’s Wife?

Doris Adkisson Married Fritz Von Erich

Doris Adkisson and Fritz Von Erich were High School sweethearts. They attended Crozier Technical High School. The two started dating and chose to get married. Their wedding ceremony happened on June 23, 1950. They got married when Fritz was a junior at Southern Methodist University (SMU) and was on the Mustangs football squad.

Eventually, they became parents of six sons and of all their children, only one is currently alive. Later, Doris Adkisson and Fritz Von Erich got separated. Doris divorced Fritz Von Erich on July 21, 1992. They were married for 42 years.

Doris Adkisson’s Children

Doris Adkisson and Fritz Von Erich are parents of six children. Their children are Jack Barton Jr., David Von Erich, Mike Von Erich, Chris Von Erich, Kerry Von Erich, and Kevin Von Erich. Their firstborn Jack Barton Jr. was born on September 21, 1952, but he died on March 7, 1959. He was accidentally shocked and drowned in a puddle. He was 6 years old when he died.

David Von Erich was born on July 22, 1958, and he died on February 10, 1984. He was a professional wrestler. He died in a Tokyo hotel from enteritis at the age of 25. Mike Von Erich, Chris Von Erich, and Kerry Von Erich, all professional wrestlers died by suicide. Mike was born on March 2, 1964, and he died on April 12, 1987. He took an overdose of Placidyl and died at the age of 23.

ALSO, READ; Kevin Von Erich’s Brothers: Truth About Kevin Von Erich’s Brothers

Chris was born on September 30, 1969, and he died on September 12, 1991. He shot himself in the head with a 9mm handgun and died at the age of 21. Kerry was born on February 3, 1960, and he died on February 18, 1993. He shot himself in the chest in the family yard, just 15 days after his 33rd birthday. Kevin Von Erich was born on May 15, 1957, and he is the last surviving son. He is now a retired professional wrestler.

Doris Adkisson’s Ex-husband Passed Away

Doris Adkisson’s partner Fritz Von Erich became a professional wrestler and wrestling promoter. He was also the patriarch of the Von Erich family. He was a 3-time world champion and a record 20-time NWA United States Champion. He wrestled professionally from the 1950s to the 1980s.

Also Read: Kevin Von Erich Children: Who Are Kevin Von Erich’s Children?

Fritz Von Erich owned the World Class Championship Wrestling territory. On September 10, 1997, he died of brain and lung cancer. He died in Dallas, Texas, U.S. at the age of 68. His funeral service was held at the First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. His body was cremated with his ashes interred in the same plot as his fourth son, Kerry.

What Happened To Doris Adkisson?

Doris Adkisson died on 23 October 2015, in Kapaa, Kauai County, Hawaii, USA, at age 82. She had long suffered from emphysema. She moved from Dallas and her Swiss Avenue manse to Hawaii, where her son Kevin and his wife Pam and their children and grandchildren have lived for close to a decade on a single, sprawling expanse of faraway paradise.