Jody Hamilton, best known to professional wrestling fans as being part of The Assassins tag team, and later as Assassin #1, as well as being the father of legendary referee Nick Patrick has passed away at the age of 82, with news of Hamilton’s passing first made public by IMPACT Wrestling star Doc Gallows.

Hamilton’s son, legendary referee Nick Patrick confirmed the news in a Facebook post writing, “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.”

Hamilton, who made his in-ring debut in 1955 and retired from the business in 1988, was key in the training of several notable wrestlers over the years such as Kevin Nash, Diamond Dallas Page, Bill Goldberg, and The Big Show in the opening of the WCW Power Plant and others during his time with Deep South Wrestling.

Hamilton also held a big selection of titles during his career. Hamilton was a one-time NWA Central States Heavyweight Champion, a one-time NWA Florida Television Champion, a two-time NWA Southern Heavyweight Champion (Florida Version), a one-time NWA United States Tag Team Champion (Florida Version), a one-time NWA World Tag Team Champion (Florida Version), a four-time AWA Southern Tag Team Champion, a three-time Deep South Heavyweight Champion, a one-time NWA Georgia Heavyweight Champion, a fourteen-time NWA Georgia Tag Team Champion, a two-time NWA Macon Tag Team Champion, a four-time NWA Southeastern Tag Team Champion (Georgia Version), a one-time NWA Southern Tag Team Champion (Georgia Version), a two-time NWA World Tag Team Champion (Georgia Version), a two-time NWA Canadian Tag Team Champion (Vancouver Version), a one-time NWA World Tag Team Champion (Vancouver Version), a two-time NWA Americas Tag Team Champion, once with Tom Renesto and once with John Tolos, a one-time NWA ‘Beat The Champ’ Television Champion, a two-time NWA North American Tag Team Champion (Los Angeles/Japan Version), a one-time NWA World Tag Team Champion (Mid-America Version), a four-time NWA United States Tag Team Champion, twice with Assassin #2, once with Ernie Ladd and once with Angel, a one-time NWA Alabama Heavyweight Champion, a two-time NWA Louisiana Heavyweight Champion, a two-time NWA Louisiana Tag Team Champion, once with Assassin #2 and once with Angel, a four-time NWA Southeastern Continental Heavyweight Champion, a one-time NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Champion (Northern Division), a one-time NWA Southeastern Tag Team Champion with Don Carson, a three-time NWA Southern Tag Team Champion (Gulf Coast Version), once each with Assassin #2, Don Carson and Billy Spears, a one-time NWA Tennessee Tag Team Champion with Ron Fuller and a one-time IWA World Tag Team Champion with Assassin #2 for the World Championship Wrestling (Australia) promotion.

Hamilton was inducted into the WCW Hall of Fame in 1994, as well as the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2013 as a member of The Assassins. Hamilton was also inducted into the Georgia Wrestling Hall of Fame as part of The Assassins.

On behalf of Wrestling-News.Net, we would like to extend our condolences to the family, friends and fans of “The Assassin” Jody Hamilton.