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Terry 'Hulk Hogan' Bollea with his pastor and friend Aaron Filippone.
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Following the sudden passing of Terry 'Hulk Hogan' Bollea, his pastor is reflecting on the kind of man he was. (Aaron Filippone/X)
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Following the sudden passing of Terry 'Hulk Hogan' Bollea, his pastor is reflecting on the kind of man he was.

Bollea attended Indian Rocks Baptist Church in Largo, Florida, pastored by Aaron Filippone, before he passed away from a heart attack on July 24, 2025. 

"Terry was a member of our church and a personal friend," said Filippone on X. "Over the past two years, we had the opportunity to pray together, study God’s Word, challenge one another, and grow in our faith."

Bollea was known as 'Hulk Hogan' throughout his WWE wrestling career and had a checkered past. He passed away at the age of 71. 

"To the world, he was Hulk Hogan—a legend. But to us at Indian Rocks Church, he was simply Terry: a humble, joyful, Jesus-loving man who lived out his faith every day. He worshiped faithfully with his wife, Sky—not behind the scenes, but shoulder to shoulder with the people he loved. He didn’t want the spotlight or the green room. He wanted to be where God was moving."

Filippone was the one who married Bollea and Sky. He also baptized Bollea and recalled it as a fond memory. 

"Terry wasn’t a perfect man—he never claimed to be. He had a past, and he made mistakes. But Terry was a Jesus man, and that’s the beauty of the Gospel. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Terry didn’t just talk about his faith—he lived it."

Filippone recalls how Bollea would often bring a friend to church while wearing a shirt that read the well-known verse, John 3:16. 

"Though we miss him deeply, we know he is in the presence of the Lord—fully healed, fully free, and worshiping the Savior he loved with all his heart. Terry is more alive now than he has ever been. I love you, Terry. Thank you for showing us how to boldly live for Jesus and finish strong."

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