Larry “Rocky” Hamilton (April 1,1931 – July 20,1996) was born in St. Joseph. Larry, better known by his ring name “The Missouri Mauler,” was a professional wrestler who competed in the National Wrestling Alliance as well as Florida Championship Wrestling and Jim Crockett Promotions. He is also the older brother of wrestler Jody Hamilton who competed as a masked wrestler, “The Assassin.”

Making his debut in the Missouri area during the early 1950’s, he and his brother Jody Hamilton, began a team together as the Hamilton Brothers in 1957, headlining an event at Madison Square Gardens against Antonio Rocca and Miguel Perez.

In 1958 Hamilton and his brother went their separate ways. Larry began working for promoter Jim Crockett, Sr. in the Carolinas. It was during his time with Jim Crockett promotions that Larry Hamilton would find his greatest success becoming a major star in the promotion in only a few years.

He later teamed back up with his brother and Tom Renesto facing Haystacks Calhoun and the “Kentuckyians,” (John Quinn and Grizzly Smith) in a series of six-man tag team matches setting attendance records in the Carolina and Virginia area.

Hamilton retired in 1981 and went into the bail bonding business in St. Joseph.