“The Assassin” Jody Hamilton has passed away at the age of 82.
Hamilton had entered hospice care earlier in the day on Tuesday, but news of his passing came out in the afternoon. Veteran WCW referee Nick Patrick, Hamilton’s son, confirmed the news with a post on Facebook:
“It is with heavy heart that I make this post. At 2:16 today my father took his last breath on this earth. He passed comfortably, surrounded by the people that love him. Now our attention has to shift over to taking care of my mom. I want to thank everyone that sent out prayers and support for my family. I will put more information about pop out, but right now I’m kinda numb.
IMPACT Wrestling star Doc Gallows, among others, commented on it with a post on social media, as he thanked Hamilton for the lessons and the memories.
R.I.P “The Assassin” Jody Hamilton. Thanks for the lessons, the memories, & the stories many of us will never forget. I hope you’re lighting a big cuban in the sky! ? pic.twitter.com/0ZTzrFHkXN
— “The Big LG” Doc Gallows (@The_BigLG) August 3, 2021
Hamilton’s wrestling career dates back to 1955, and he competed in various promotions before he was forced to retire in 1988 when he suffered a broken back. He then landed with World Championship Wrestling, where he worked as a manager, trainer and in other backstage roles.
When Hamilton relaunched Deep South Wrestling in 2005, it became a developmental territory for WWE until 2007. Hamilton eventually filed a lawsuit against WWE in regrads to the promotion’s relationship with DSW, and the suit was settled out of court in 2010.
The entire WrestleZone team expresses its condolences to the Hamilton family during this difficult time.