I would just like to say thank you for all the bookings throughout the years in the wrestling business learned a lot from you my brother and you will be sadly missed God bless you and yours.

I have spent 36 years in the wrestling business, mainly on the indie circuit in the Carolinas...promotion, booking, ring announcing.  I have spent many more years as a fan of the greatest form of entertainment ever known. How could one not know Bert Prentice if they are affiliated with the wrestling business in any way? 

I first became acquainted with Bert through his stints with USWA-Memphis and Ozark Mountain Wrestling (tape trader days). I moved to Middle Tennessee in the Fall of 2013 and then to West Tennessee the Fall of 2020.  During this time I have largely been inactive in wrestling except for a couple of events. One Saturday night my fiancé, Deborah, and I were watching WBBJ in Jackson TN.  When who would pop up on our screen but, Bert Prentice!  During the course of the show it was advertised that a wrestling card USA Championship Wrestling was to be presented on Thanksgiving night at Oman Arena.  We were thrilled and marked our calendars, immediately, to attend. 

Since Thanksgiving night 2020 we have been to every event in the West Tennessee area that Bert has promoted. We were also able to meet and become friends with Bert.  We can attest, everything that we have seen written and heard said regarding his kindness, caring, motivation and encouragement is true. For Christmas 2020 I purchased his motivational book, "Just In Case You Need Me" for me future step-daughters. Bert, gladly, autographed and personalized them.

To Bert's biological and occupational family, our deepest condolences.  Deborah and I are here "Just In Case You Need" us. You all have become our extended family. Through our relationship with Bert we have multiplied our friends and acquaintances.  What a wonderful testimony of the person that Bert Prentice "is". 

Rest in peace, our friend.  See you again one day.  Save us a ring side seat, please.

Ralph and Deborah    

My heart is broken with Bert's passing. I always considered him my family. He and I were a team in the Blanchard days. Up and down the roads of Texas...so many roads...so many towns, I will miss not being able to call him and hearing his words of help with whatever I need. Fly away my sweet Teaufer...I will miss you with all my being.

Bert was a really nice guy that always took care of us, ticket wise, at the early TNA Nashville shows in 2002-2003.   He started a lot of really bright people in the wrestling business, and continued with some great cards in the Western Tennessee area up until his death.   He will be missed.  

At a total loss for words. This is a tough loss right here.. I’ll never forget the first time I met Bert at a show. I knew of him but at that point never knew what he looked like or anything. I must of walked by him ten times that night until finally introducing myself, and he goes I’ve been in this business for 40 years and you walk right by me like I’m nobody lol. We instantly clicked. Over the years we drove each other crazy, either he was mad at me or I was mad at him. But not in a hateful way at all. He always tried bringing the best out of me as a performer. He was always giving advice on what to do, how to look a certain way, how to walk, how to talk. I just text him a couple weeks ago and asked how things were etc. I will miss him and his hustle. He was one of the best at what he did and a lot of guys, including myself owe Bert for allowing us the opportunity to hone our craft. Bert thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you ever did for me. 

You'll live in my heart forever and will be missed dearly. I love you so much fly high my sweet angle.

My beautiful uncle I will miss you so much. I love you more than you know and you will forever live on in spirit. I’m so thankful I’ve had you in mine and my girls lives you will be missed dearly.  I love you peaches RIP and fly high. 

My deepest condolences to Bert's loved ones - I loved him and will miss him always. 

I have known Bert since he first come to Tennessee in the wrestling business.  He had such a big heart and will be missed by many.  Thoughts and prayers for his family and friends.

I know we did not see eye to eye sometimes but I will always love you Bert Prentice. You got me to break out of my shell and I thank you so much for that. I will miss all the stories you told me, and the last message you sent me was I love you, I will always cherish that message! Thank you so much for what you did for me and Wayne getting us into the wrestling business. Until we get to meet again my friend I love you!

Love Brooke and Wayne Williams 

Bert Prentice was a great man whom had a dedication too Country Music Gospel Professional Wrestling he was loved by many he kept everyone too do a good job in all he did he ran a smooth ship if it was not broke he’d fix it or done right he will be missed Thanks for The special memories 

Thank you Bert for all you did for us Wrestling fans over the years. I have many great memories to look back on thanks to you. You will be missed by all of us, and never forgotten. Thank you for being my friend.

We were so very sorry to hear of the passing of our friend and classmate, Bert. The Estherville High School Class of 1976 will be donating to the Demoney Elementary School book vending machine program in memory of Bert.  This program puts a book of their choice in the hands of every student at the elementary level. Our deepest sympathy to all of Bert's family and friends. Peace to all, Deniese Nicol  EHS '76 

Gonna miss my sweet Bert Printice
U were a great friend and a great man 
Love u and miss u 
Pam Smartt

You was a very sweet person.  I was thankful I got to meet a very sweet person like you. Rip. 

I was thrilled to go out to Jackson , TN from the West Coast . There were Bert's Girls from Beaverton, OR in Christi Cook Fox, from Vancouver, WA my wife Cathy Schave Kemp, from Texas Lori Hurst and Rhonda McAllister., Then there was me in the mix. I was referred by Bert as TAT, Tag Along Tommy. However, he was all in fun as he invited Cathy, Christi and I just north of his home to Patties Home Plate for dinner after we arrived in from a flight from Portland to Nashville.  He invited us to breakfast with Jimmy Hart and then took a tour of the storefront he used for USA Championship Wrestling before moving the event to Studio A at the Oman Arena. The next few days of TV Tapings and then the big show he did at the Ballpark in Jackson in September 2020 was beyond amazing. The crew was great, the talent superior and many friendships were made. Bert didn't care if you had decades in the business or were having tour first match. If you could add to the event, you were booked. There was never a negative word saqid about him nor should there be. He was true and genuine, a tough find in the industry today> 

Rest well Bert, you earned your stripes and then some, You will be missed dearly by those who knew you and by those who didn't, but had heard the name. I hope his legacy carrie son, but regardless it won't be the same. .

In life we cross paths with many individuals.   Some we become friends with and, some we become true friends with.  Bert Prentice was one of those true friends.  Whenever we talked we always were able to joke about how we were the dinosaurs of the wrestling business.   
To have him include me in that category was such an honor.
We saw things the same way, We always wanted to give our fans the best possible show we could.
Over the past few years we discussed the business as his health was declining.   I believe he knew his time was getting short.  I know without a doubt he was putting a plan in place.  His dear sister Marilyn was a major part of his plan.  Like all sisters and brothers they would agree to disagree.  In the end, Bert always told me how much he loved her.  
Bert now has the best ringside seat available.   You can be sure he is pain free and, he will be looking down making sure what he taught the men and women in his lockeroom is being done.
I know he will be sending me a sign and making sure I remember some of the discussion we had over the years.  He is now pain free, no suffering no worries, and just remember he will always be looking down making sure it is being done Bert's way.  R.I.P my dear friend until we meet again.

Bert and I go way back to Jackson Elementary School.  He is a part of many fond childhood through High School memories.  He was a kind, caring, thoughtful, genuine soul.  Blessed to have known him.  He knew what he meant to me, I will miss my life long friend ❤️

Was a childhood friend who I lost track of and just refound him couple years ago I always knew he would go on to do great things cause he had dedication and a love of people and wrestling.

So saddened he is gone the world lost a very fine man but his accomplishments will be his legecy and he will be missed by all.
Didnt get a chance to see you again here Bert so catch you on the other side.


Bert gave me my start to a 17 year wrestling career thank you sir I wish we all could come to pay our respects but at this time this is the best we can do RIP BErt from bonecrusher 

Bert gave me a chance when he really didn’t have to. He was very good to me. He helped me create memories for my grandchildren and that will always me so much to me. Bert was very kind to me. I always wanted to make sure I appreciated what he had done for me. He would say something like you’ve been a good friend. I will never forget him or to pass on  the blessings he gave to me . I love you Bert. 

We loved Bert, 
Thanks for always being there! 

He was a great man and will be missed. I thought of him as a dad and he thought of me as a son. It won’t be the same without him but we have to be strong. He would want us to. I Love You Daddy Bert. ❤️ R.I.P.  See you again someday in Heaven. 

He was the love of my life. We had many great memories together. There will never be another man in my life like Bert Prentice. He will always be my boyfriend and I will always be his Hooch. I miss him dearly and can’t imagine my life without him in it. We will see each other again in Heaven. 

Bert was a amazing friend.. I got to know him in selmer Tennessee.. i only missed 3 of his shows there in selmer and couple out of towns wrestling.. usa championship wrestling best around.  He will be greatly missed. He treated me like family. I was pleasure to help when he needed me

Bert gave me chances that changed the course of my life and career. I will always be thankful for that and for the fact he claimed me as “one of his children”. I loved him and will miss him greatly. Thanks for all the knowledge you bestowed upon me and the love you showed me in life and In the wrestling business. Your legacy will live on forever!  

It was good working with you at the wrestling shows you was a good friend to us and I'm going to miss you

Met him at Tammy McPeake,s funeral,and have to say he was such a nice man and really liked him,Saw him once after that at Wal Mart and he was a big cut up,,really a nice wonderful person,Prayers to all his family for he was a great person,,May God wrap his arms around you and comfort you,,Also prayers to all his wrestling family because he will be missed,May God bless and comfort all of you,,

OBITUARY

Bert Owen Prentice

March 26, 1958 – August 4, 2021

George A. Smith & Sons Funeral Home

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