Another legend has passed. RIP Andy.

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"That was Extra Good!"

"But that one always makes you cry, Pa!"
"I'll fight it!"

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Mr. Griffith
 

Andy quit sheriffin' and went to law school. Became a pretty good defense lawyer.

Barney let his freak flag fly, moved to California and managed that apartment complex.

Gomer gave the gas stationed to his cousin, Goober, joined the Marines, became a singer. Missed him at this year's Indy 500.

Opie got adopted by that Yankee family, went to film school and made some good movies.

Like talkin' about dead relatives and the memory of old friends.

As a kid, any episode with the Dillards or Ernest T. Bass or Otis or Floyd.

Andy didn't mind taking a little step to the side to let others take the spotlight.

RIP, Mr. Griffith.

The Dillards-"There Is A Time"-1963 - YouTube

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While Gomer wasn't physically there, they had a video of him singing Back Home Again in Indiana....

I always liked this show...
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Grew up with that show. Met Andy in 1993 in Nags Head NC while they were filming Matlock at our hotel. When I was a kid we vacationed there and would go see "The Lost Colony" in Manteo. (It was/is the longest running outdoor play in the US) Andy performed in it for a handful of years right after H.S. He died there on Roanoke Island. RIP

Great show with lots of interesting characters back in the day. RIP

He was a lovely man and he lived a full, productive life. The only sadness in these type of passings for me is that they represent something gone by, i.e. the 20th century and my life. I think that's what most people feel when an icon dies.

As Aunt bee would say But Annnndiiiiiiie Tis a sad day.

I just can't help it....as a memorial, I've been whistling the theme to the Andy Griffith show since I heard the news.

If they played that at the service, I bet there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

By the way, to this day, I still think of him as Ron Howard's dad, who went from being a USAF enlisted man (No Time for Sergeants) to a small-town sheriff to a southern lawyer (lots of law enforcement officials get their law degrees, right?).

R.I.P and thank you for all your years of work, and for your honesty in words and deeds.

The pilot for the Andy Griffith show..
Just saw this one today...

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I think Mayberry is baked into the consciousness of a generation.

I believe that's what Don Henley was referring to in "End of the Innocence."

...Who knows how long this will last
Now we've come so far, so fast
But, somewhere back there in the dust
That same small town in each of us
I need to remember this
So baby give me just one kiss
And let me take a long last look
Before we say goodbye...

On screen, Andy's Sheriff represented fair-minded decency. That's pretty much a core American value.

On the other hand, you'll see a glimpse of what was to come if you watch him in A Face in the Crowd.

RIP

This is a really good thread. I just want to say thanks to everyone for your thoughts. Still whistling that theme song down the road...

SmileWavy

_

It was.

Two perfect posts.

I have to admit a little watery eyed after reading your posts gentlemen. It's gratifying to know no matter what else - we still recognize and appreciate what is truly special in our lives.

My only contribution is this video interview of Mr. Griffith on the passing of his best friend Don Knotts in 2006. It's as good a testimony as any to see and hear how he honours his departed best friend.

Thanks Mr. Griffith for your genuine compassion and unique approach to life and for sharing it all with us through the years....we will surely miss you.....R.I.P. sir.

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