Bob Orton , Sr . Robert Dale " Bob " Orton ( July 21 , 1929 – July 16 , 2006 ) was an American professional wrestler . He was also known as Bob Orton , Sr . to distinguish him from his son , " Cowboy " Bob Orton , Jr . He was also the father of former wrestler Barry O , and the grandfather of WWE Superstar Randy Orton . Career . 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 Championship and the Florida Tag Team title ( with Bob Jr . ) in Florida Championship Wrestling and the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship in Central States Wrestling . He also competed in the American Wrestling Association , where he would also gain championship success . In 1961 , Orton competed for Vince McMahon , Sr . ' s World Wide Wrestling Federation , usually teaming with fellow wrestler Buddy Rogers staying there for some months before leaving for the NWA territories . From late 1961 to late 1964 , Orton competed for top NWA territories such Championship Wrestling from Florida . By 1965 , Orton joined Georgia Championship Wrestling , and was the Nº 1 contender for the GCW Southern Heavyweight Championship . He defeated the then - champion Tarzan Tyler by disqualification , meaning the title couldn ' t change hands . In 1967 , Orton competed for the American Wrestling Association and even challenged Verne Gagne for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship but was unsuccessful . In early 1968 , Orton won the AWA World Tag Team titles teaming with Maurice Vachon to defeat the then - champions Doug Gillbert and Reggie Parks . In late 1968 , Orton returned to the WWWF after a 7 - year departure from the company . This time wrestling as " Cowboy " Rocky Fitzpatrick and usually teaming with Gorilla Monsoon . Fitzpatrick was the number one contender for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship , even challenging the champion Bruno Sammartino but was unsuccessful . As the 1970s rolled on , Orton left the WWWF and returned to the NWA territories , mainly competing in the Florida area . In 1972 , Orton helped his son Bob Orton , Jr to get into the wrestling business and usually teamed up with him winning several matches and becoming one of the top tag team of the promotion . Orton last match was on August 5 , 1980 against Barry Windham . Orton was defeated . Orton would depart from the wrestling business that same year , but he officially retired almost two decades later in 2000 . Personal life . Orton married Rita on January 22 , 1950 . Together they had three children , " Cowboy " Bob Orton , Barry Orton , and Rhonda Orton . Orton was also grandfather to current World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Randy Orton . Orton and André the Giant were good friends for many years . Retirement . He retired in July 2000 and spent the last years of his life living in Las Vegas , Nevada . Death . He died on July 16 , 2006 at the age of 76 after suffering from a series of heart attacks . Orton was cremated and had his ashes scattered on Mount Charleston in Las Vegas in April 2007 .