The Von Erich family is a professional wrestling family. Their actual birth names are "Adkisson", but every member of the family who went into the wrestling business used the ring name "Von Erich", after the family patriarch, Jack (Fritz Von Erich) Adkisson.
Although the family patriarch Fritz lived to the age of 68, five of his six sons preceded him in death (three by suicide). The firstborn son, Jack Jr., died at the age of six. In 1984, David Von Erich died in Japan from acute enteritis of the upper intestine. Michael, Chris, and Kerry all committed suicide in 1987, 1991, and 1993 respectively. Mike died after taking an overdose of Placidyl. Chris shot himself in the head with a 9mm handgun at his parents' home in East Texas. Kerry shot himself in the chest behind his father's house on Shady Shores Road. Kevin Von Erich is the sole surviving child of Fritz (Jack Adkisson) and Doris Adkisson.
The third generation of Von Erichs is currently forming. Kerry's daughter Lacey Von Erich is now in the business, and Kevin's sons, Marshall and Ross Von Erich, are contemplating entering the squared circle themselves.
Read more about Von Erich Family: Afterward, WWE Hall of Fame, Championships and Accomplishments, Family Tree
Famous quotes containing the words von and/or family:
“One spares old people just as one spares children.”
—Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749–1832)
“If family communication is good, parents can pick up the signs of stress in children and talk about it before it results in some crisis. If family communication is bad, not only will parents be insensitive to potential crises, but the poor communication will contribute to problems in the family.”
—Donald C. Medeiros (20th century)