Abe Jacobs

Abe Jacobs, age 95, of Charlotte, passed away, Monday, August 21, 2023 at the University Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Charlotte, NC.

Abe was born June 18, 1928 in Chatham Islands, New Zealand to the late Robert Steele Jacobs and Amelia Jacobs. Quoting Wikipedia, “He was one of the first men to follow fellow New Zealander Pat O'Connor to the United States where, like O'Connor, Jacobs became a major star in the National Wrestling Alliance during the "Golden Age of Wrestling". One of the most recognizable "babyfaces" during this period, he was billed as the "Jewish Heavyweight Champion" and wrestled in a number of high-profile matches with many stars of the era Jacobs was also an established journeyman wrestler, touring Europe and Japan on several occasions, travelling around the world 4 times and wrestling over 8,000 matches in his 30-year career. He spent the final years of his career in the Carolinas where he became a mainstay for Jim Crockett's NWA Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling during the 1970s and early-1980s. Best remembered by "modern" American wrestling fans as an undercard wrestler, he was the first opponent of "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair when making his debut in the promotion in 1974.Jacobs is credited for creating the "Kiwi Leg Roll", a modified amateur submission hold, which was especially popular among fans and to date has never been duplicated. He was also widely respected in the industry, managing Ricky Steamboat's gym during the 1990s, and was officially inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Hall of Fame in 2008.” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abe_Jacobs#Later_Life_and_Death

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Dolly Nielson.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Evelyn Murray Jacobs and her sons, Reggie Hammond (Joyce) and Richard Hammond all of Tampa, Florida; a son, Robert Jacobs (Vicki) and several grandchildren; sister-in-law, Mae Stevens (Ronnie) of Rutherfordton; special friends, Christine Flores of Charlotte and Kim Thompson (A.D.) of Forest City and renowned sportswriter, Mike Mooneyham of Charleston, SC.

The funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at the Harrelson Funeral Chapel. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 pm on Monday at the funeral home. Burial will take place in New Zealand on a later date.