R.I.P. Doug Furnas

#26
#26
I was at UT basketball camp as a youngster back in 87 or 88 and it was held at Stokley Athletic Center. During lunch break one day, I decided to snoop around in Stokley and see what I could get into.

I head back in towards the locker room/training rooms and opened a door. There I saw Doug Furnas lying in a metal tub full of ice and water. This was at the time Doug was a major star in Smokey Mtn Wrestling (I think it was called) and I nearly dropped dead from surprise, fear, shock, etc.

So I said "Hey Doug" and took off. A little while later he came walking out of the training room. Crazy how wide his back/shoulders were and how large his thighs were.
 
#27
#27
My wife's Grandpa whittled out walking canes in his spare time and he was a big 'Rasslin fan. He was in his 80's and a big fan of Doug "the world's strongest man"Furnas. He watched it on TV every Saturday. Then he heard that the 'rasslin was coming to the local gym in our town, and Furnas was on the card. He had to go and we were the ones to take him.

So we loaded up Gramps and took him to watch. My wife and I sat in the bleachers, but he moved down to the gym floor to the front row to set. And he had his favorite walking stick with him. When Furnas came out and started to the ring, Gramps met him and gave him the walking stick. In his mind, this was probably a great tribute to his hero.

What did Furnas do? He took the cane, climbed up in the ring and began to swing it around like he was wanting to do some serious damage with it. Then he stepped up on the first rope and held the cane above his head with both arms, like it was a set of weights and growled at the crowd. And he proceeded to do that in the other corners of the ring. The crowd went wild. Then he graciously returned the cane to my wife's grandpa. Gramps was truly a happy man. I thought it was a real nice gesture.
 
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#29
#29
DyronNix said:
I was at UT basketball camp as a youngster back in 87 or 88 and it was held at Stokley Athletic Center. During lunch break one day, I decided to snoop around in Stokley and see what I could get into.

I head back in towards the locker room/training rooms and opened a door. There I saw Doug Furnas lying in a metal tub full of ice and water. This was at the time Doug was a major star in Smokey Mtn Wrestling (I think it was called) and I nearly dropped dead from surprise, fear, shock, etc.

So I said "Hey Doug" and took off. A little while later he came walking out of the training room. Crazy how wide his back/shoulders were and how large his thighs were.
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Between Doug's physical stature and his trademark fu man chu mustache, he had quite the intimidating appearance.

If you had started a conversation with him, you quickly learn that he was all heart.
 
#30
#30
MWR said:
My wife's Grandpa whittled out walking canes in his spare time and he was a big 'Rasslin fan. He was in his 80's and a big fan of Doug "the world's strongest man"Furnas. He watched it on TV every Saturday. Then he heard that the 'rasslin was coming to the local gym in our town, and Furnas was on the card. He had to go and we were the ones to take him.

So we loaded up Gramps and took him to watch. My wife and I sat in the bleachers, but he moved down to the gym floor to the front row to set. And he had his favorite walking stick with him. When Furnas came out and started to the ring, Gramps met him and gave him the walking stick. In his mind, this was probably a great tribute to his hero.

What did Furnas do? He took the cane, climbed up in the ring and began to swing it around like he was wanting to do some serious damage with it. Then he stepped up on the first rope and held the cane above his head with both arms, like it was a set of weights and growled at the crowd. And he proceeded to do that in the other corners of the ring. The crowd went wild. Then he graciously returned the cane to my wife's grandpa. Gramps was truly a happy man. I thought it was a real nice gesture.
Click to expand...

LOL! Doug was really in his element in those small shows.
 
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#31
#31
txbo said:
LOL! Doug was really in his element in those small shows.
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I agree.

He could have been a jerk and walked on by my wife's Grandpa, or refused the walking stick, or even have took it and snapped it across his leg.

But what he did made Gramp's day. I know some of it was good PR, but I don't see how Furnas could have handled it any better.
 
#32
#32
Anyone find it odd that govols.com doesn't even mention his death?....Is it confirmed or just a rumor?...I see several wrestling sites are saying it but nothing UT related that I have seen.
 
#33
#33
MWR said:
I agree.

He could have been a jerk and walked on by my wife's Grandpa, or refused the walking stick, or even have took it and snapped it across his leg.

But what he did made Gramp's day. I know some of it was good PR, but I don't see how Furnas could have handled it any better.
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Doug grew up in Commerce, OK....same little town that Mickey Mantle grew up.

He would have known the minute he saw the walking stick that it was special. No way he would snap it for a pr stunt.
 
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#34
#34
Didn't realize this was the same Doug until today but he was my uncle's best friend. Very nice guy.
 
#35
#35
VOLnMiami said:
Anyone find it odd that govols.com doesn't even mention his death?....Is it confirmed or just a rumor?...I see several wrestling sites are saying it but nothing UT related that I have seen.
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I find it odd and disappointing.

Yes, it's true. Memorial service is Friday at 6:00pm. Visitation and Funeral are Saturday at 2:00pm.

Both sevices will be held at the High School gymnasium in Commerce, OK.

The address is:
420 D Street
Commerce, OK
 
#37
#37
txbo said:
I find it odd and disappointing.

Yes, it's true. Memorial service is Friday at 6:00pm. Visitation and Funeral are Saturday at 2:00pm.

Both sevices will be held at the High School gymnasium in Commerce, OK.

The address is:
420 D Street
Commerce, OK
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info
 
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