Black Bart, born with the birth name Richard Harris, a well-known wrestling figure, passed away at 76.
His wife, Linda, shared the news late on January 9, 2025, announcing that he took his last breath at 5:26 in the morning.
You might know him as Black Bart but to me he was my husband Ricky. He left us this morning . He was pronounced at 5:26 this morning. He is Resting In Peace
Linda
Highlights
- As the wrestler Bart’s health deteriorated with stage 4 colon cancer and a kidney crisis, Linda managed his Facebook account.
- Linda provided an update about Bart’s condition, explaining that he was too weak to walk independently, so she took him to the hospital.
- Unfortunately, he didn’t make enough progress in rehab for the insurance to continue to cover his stay.
Bart revealed his diagnosis on March 23, 2023, through his Facebook.
He had been fighting stage four colon cancer, which had spread to his liver. He expressed his determination to fight the illness and said he wouldn’t give up easily.
He also mentioned his faith in God, which gave him strength, and he planned to begin chemotherapy soon.
So, the wrestling community came together to support Bart during his battle.
On August 12, 2023, the East Texas Wrestling Alliance held a tribute show that brought together many of his former colleagues, such as Sam Houston, Alex “Pug” Pourteau, Rod Price, Iceman Parsons, Slick, and Debbie Combs.
In 2024, at the Cauliflower Alley Club reunion, Bart was named the surprise recipient of the Courage Award. JBL accepted the award on Bart’s behalf and later delivered it to him.
Linda Updated Black Bart’s Health Condition Throughout His Worsened Stage Via His Facebook Account
Bart’s Facebook was managed by his wife, Linda, as his health declined due to cancer.
She mentioned that while Bart appreciated the support, he could no longer read the messages as he once did.
So, they tried increasing the text size, but it wasn’t beneficial. Linda read as much as she could to him but had limited time since Bart required almost constant care.
Additionally, Linda provided an update about Bart’s condition, explaining that he was too weak to walk on his own, so she took him to the hospital to explore the possibility of a nursing home.
That time, the doctor discovered a kidney problem, so he was transferred to a rehab facility in a nursing home.
In November, Linda shared that Bart was no longer in the hospital as he had been moved to a rehab facility.
While there, he didn’t receive chemo, so she asked for prayers that his cancer stayed at bay while he healed.
A month later, Linda shared that Bart was brought home, although he still couldn’t walk.
Unfortunately, he didn’t make enough progress in rehab for the insurance to continue covering his stay.
Bart expressed that he no longer wanted to continue chemotherapy, feeling it was causing more harm than good, and Linda supported his decision.
She emphasized that he didn’t see this as giving up but rather as a choice to stop putting harmful treatment in his body.
Bart, who was also diabetic, underwent heart bypass surgery in 2015, and throughout his health struggles, his wife, Linda, supported him every step.
Also, Dr. Chris Featherstone wrote on X:
“I just spoke to Black Bart’s wife in detail about his health. She gave me permission to report an update. She stated, ‘he’s ready to meet his maker, so it’s a win-win situation. When it’s time to go to heaven, he knows where he’s going’.
Chris Featherstone
“He is currently resting at home with his wife Linda. He is refusing chemotherapy and his bladder has stopped working. Linda stated that he said that he felt so bad after the chemo, ‘each time he’s done it, he’s felt worse’. He is no longer able to walk and is barely eating.
“His weight dropped from 320 to 210, and his wife stated, ‘he’s nothing but skin and bones now’. She said that ‘he’s prayed up and ready to go’, and he is in good spirits. She expressed that instead of a memorial, Bart ‘wants a party’ to celebrate his life and be remembered for how he was before getting terminally ill. “And ain’t a DAGGUM thing you can do about it”.
Bart began his wrestling career in 1975 at 27 and wrestled for 31 years, retiring in 2006 at 58.
He worked for several significant promotions, including All Japan Pro Wrestling, WCW, and WWE.
He also used ring names such as Black Bart Johnson, Big Train Bart, Hangman Harris, Man Mountain Mike Harris, and El Lobo.
Additional Information
- In 1981, Harris began his wrestling career as a preliminary wrestler on Jim Crockett Promotions’ “Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling” under “Ricky Harris.”
- From January to May 1982, he wrestled for Georgia Championship Wrestling, and then from May to October 1982, he worked for Mid South Wrestling.
- In November 1982, Harris returned to Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling and stayed until May 1983.
