Edward "Ed" Eugene McLemore, Jr.

Notes:

Famed wrestling promotor, long associated with the Dallas Sportatorium. Built by the Cox Fence Company on the occasion of the Texas Centennial celebration in 1936 , the original Dallas Sportatorium was constructed in the shape of an octagon and played host to weekly wrestling shows promoted initially by Burt Willoughby, and later by Ed McLemore. Beginning in 1948 , it was also the site of the Big D Jamboree , a weekly country music showcase similar in format to the Grand Ole Opry and Louisiana Hayride; portions of the Jamboree were broadcast nationally on the CBS Radio Network. The Sportatorium was destroyed by fire on May 1 , 1953 , in what was rumored to be an act of arson by a rival wrestling promoter. It was quickly rebuilt at the same location as a rectangular venue (with an octagonal seating configuration similar to the original), and reopened on September 22 of that year, billed at the time as The Million-Dollar Sportatorium. The arena also held boxing events and concerts featuring up-and-coming rock stars (including, most notably, an early performance by Bruce Springsteen in 1974 ) over the years, very much in the same manner as its Los Angeles counterpart, the Grand Olympic Auditorium , did during this time frame. In early 1966 , McLemore's promotion was taken over by wrestler Jack Adkisson, who was known in the ring as Fritz Von Erich. Adkisson's promotion, which became known in the early 1980s as World Class Championship Wrestling and featured his sons as its main stars, was the most famous and successful wrestling federation to run regularly at the Dallas Sportatorium.

Obituary
The Odessa American Statesman
Friday, January 10, 1969

Heart Attack Kills Promoter

Dallas (AP)-A second heart attack claimed the life of Ed McLemore, long time wrestling promoter Thursday. Rosary was set for tonight in the Crane Funeral Chapel here.

For 30 years, McLemore promoted wrestling in Dallas, which is believed to be the longest period for any one city in the nation.

McLemore also promoted the Saturday night "Big D Jamboree," featuring country and western music. The program originated from the Sportatorium, a wrestling areana he owned.

He booked wrestling talent all over Texas and survived several wrestling wars.

A Dallas native, McLemore suffered a heart attack last February and remained away from his office for more than six months.

Famed singing and movie star Elvis Presley once credited McLemore for providing the impetus for his fame by hiring him for the "Big D Jamboree." Presley once worked for McLemore for about $75 nightly.

Funeral services were scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Calvary Hill Cemetery.

Survivors include his widow, Rose; three daughters, Mrs. William GRIFFITH of Midland; Mrs. Jean BULLINGTON and Mrs. George BAUM of Dallas; two brothers, Robert McLemore of Dallas and Patrick McLemore of San Antonio; and 13 grandchildren.

(Courtesty of Melba Gene McLemore)

Name: Edward Eugene Mclemore, Jr.
Death Date: 09 Jan 1969
Death Place: Dallas, Dallas, Texas
Gender: Male
Race: White
Death Age: 63 years
Estimated Birth Date:
Birth Date: 03 Jul 1905
Birthplace: Dallas, Texas
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: Edward E. Mclemore, Sr.
Father's Birthplace:
Mother's Name: Margaret Butler
Mother's Birthplace:
Occupation: Sports Promoter, Wrest.
Place of Residence: Highland Park, Dallas, Texas
Cemetery: Calvary Hill Cemetery
Burial Place: Dallas, Texas
Burial Date: 11 Jan 1969
Additional Relatives: X
Film Number: 2137258
Digital Film Number: 4030478
Image Number: 1378
Reference Number: cn 1842
Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976

(Research):Census Information:

Texas, Dallas, Dallas City Block 1012
Enumerated 11 April 1930 by Aloysius W. Galton
ED 57-41 SD 10 Sheet 16A Stamped 41
Reiger Ave
4811-5-5
McLemore, Margaret B Hd O $10,000 F W 52 Wd 24 Texas Irelan
d Missouri None
McLemore, Pat J Son M W 22 S Tx Tx Tx Salesman Insurance
Butler, William J Brother M W 50 Brother M W Tx Tx Mo Shipping Clerk Groceries
Butler, Urline A Sister F W 51 S Tx Tx Mo Telephone Operator Hospital
Markum, Clovis Roomer F W 30 S Tx Tx Tx Secretary Chamber of Commerce
Roelscher, Clarence Roomer M W 20 S Tx Tx Tx
Time Keeper Gin Manufacturer
4811-5-6
McLemore, Edward E Head Son M W 24 M20 Tx Tx Tx Salesman Fences
McLemore, Rose L Wife F W 24 M20 Ill Ind Ill
McLemore, Rose M Dtr F W 3 S Tx Tx Ill
McLemore, Robert H Son M w 20 S Tx Tx Tx
McLemore, John D Son M W 16 S Tx Tx Tx

The Texas Death Records Index shows him as Single in 1969. If this record is for the same individual, it is either in error, or he was divorced, as Rose didn't die until 1987.

Family/Spouse: Rose Ann Lawlor. Rose was born on 19 Jul 1905 in Illinois; died on 10 Dec 1987 in Dallas County, Texas; was buried in Calvary Hill Cemetery and Mausoleum, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Also said to have been buried in the Hebrew Cemetery in Corsicana.