Bob Orton

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This article is about Bob Orton, Sr. For his son who is also known as "Cowboy" Bob Orton, see Bob Orton, Jr.

Robert Orton Sr.


Statistics
Ring name(s)	Bob Orton Sr The Zodiak, Rocky Fitzpatrick, El Lobo
Billed height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Billed weight	245 lb (111 kg)
Born	July 21, 1929 Kansas City, Kansas
Died	July 16, 2006 Las Vegas, Nevada
Billed from	Kansas City, Kansas
Debut	1951
Retired	July 2000

Robert Dale Orton Sr. (July 21, 1929 – July 16, 2006) was an American professional wrestler. He was also known as Bob Orton, Sr. or simply Bob Orton. He was the father of "Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr. and former wrestler Barry O, and the grandfather of current WWE wrestler Randy Orton.

His previous nickname was "The Big O" when he wrestled for the Stampede Wrestling TV series.

Orton was a two-time holder of the Florida version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship with partner Eddie Graham in 1966. He also captured several other titles in various NWA territories, including the NWA Southern Heavyweight title and the Florida Tag Team title (with Bob Jr.) in Florida Championship Wrestling and the NWA United States Heavyweight title in Central States Wrestling. He also competed in the American Wrestling Association, where he would also gain championship success.

Orton married Rita on January 22, 1950. Together they had three children, "Cowboy" Bob Orton, Barry O, and Rhonda. Orton was also grandfather to current World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Randy Orton.

Orton and André the Giant, were good friends for many years.

He retired in July 2000 and spent the last years of his life living in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he died on July 16, 2006 from a series of heart attacks. Orton was cremated and his family will be spreading his ashes on Mount Charleston when the annual Cauliflower Alley Club reunion is occurring in Las Vegas in 2007.