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Post by cinlou on Mar 25, 2016 12:23:38 GMT -5
Sorry about posting the articles a second time. I hadn't caught up on reading the forum.
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Post by cinlou on Mar 25, 2016 12:28:29 GMT -5
I am waiting for his family to tell us where we can send donations in his honor. I am sure there are many charities that Earl loved. Someone on Facebook mentioned that he loved trees and they were going to plant a tree in his honor. That is very special. I know how much he cared for animals (just read his book Avocado Drive Zoo!). Perhaps a donation to your local SPCA, Humane Society or dog rescue would be good? Or to the Walton Community Center and museum. A scholarship in his honor would be nice too but I will see what his family wishes and go from there.
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Post by jrijr on Mar 25, 2016 12:36:51 GMT -5
Sorry about posting the articles a second time. I hadn't caught up on reading the forum. No apologies... It never hurts to make sure we grab all the info as we can. I wonder if Earl will be buried in California, or in his home state near family.
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Post by carol on Mar 25, 2016 12:38:07 GMT -5
The following is an excerpt from the episode called "Founder’s Day", in which Jason composes an original score he named "Appalachian Portrait". In the program, Earl Hamner narrated the following poignant dialog.
"There is something within us that tells us all we will ever know about ourselves. There is a destiny that tells us where we will be born, where we will live, and where we will die.
Some men are drawn to oceans, they cannot breathe unless the air is scented with a salty mist. Others are drawn to land that is flat, and the air is sullen and is leaden as August. My people were drawn to mountains. They came when the country was young and they settled in the upland country of Virginia that is still misted with a haze of blue which gives those mountains their name. They endured and they prevailed; through flood and famine, diphtheria and scarlet fever, through drought and forest fire, whooping cough and loneliness, through Indian wars, a civil war, a world war, and through the Great Depression they endured and they prevailed. In my time, I have come to know them.
Grandpa, in memory I touch your face. A distance from me now, I feel you near. The coyote will disappear from the Earth, and the whooping crane will follow the passenger pigeon, but you will endure through all of time.
Grandma, I touch your hand and when I do I touch the past. I touch all the ships that brought us to this country and all the strong brave women who faced the frontier and made it home.
Strength and love came together here. So not the same they did not seem a pair, bound together, they were so much one. All I ever want is what they've had so long and lived so well.
A brother with an alien name. The ancient Jason went searching for the golden fleece. Our Jason makes voyages every day and never leaves the piano.
A first baseman grown to wife and mother - soft and stronger as she grew.
A temper, always at the ready hides the best of him, but I know my brother as my friend.
A pretty girl deepens into beauty. Impatient for time to pass and bring her love.
His head most often in the clouds causes the rest of him to stumble, but seldom really fall.
A little sister full of wonder and far enough behind to be a joy.
And close as family were our neighbors linked to us in ties as strong as blood.
Gentility and graciousness lived there too. The past flowing into the present. The present blending with yesterday.
I have walked the land in the footsteps of my fathers. Back in time to where the first one trod, and stopped, saw sky, felt wind, bent to touch Mother Earth.....and called this "Home." This mountain. This pine and hemlock, oak and poplar. Laurel, wild, and rhododendron. Home and mountain. Father, mother. Grow, too the sons and daughters. To walk the old paths. To look back in pride in honored heritage. To hear its laughter and its song. To grow, to stand and be themselves, one day remembered. I have walked the land in the footsteps of all my fathers. I saw yesterday and now look to tomorrow."
Earl Hamner
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2016 13:10:40 GMT -5
It was very touching the way that his son described his passing. We know that our bodies cannot go on forever... But Earl Hamner did a darn good job living his life to the fullest and getting everything out of it that he wanted.
I think for those people who did not have an ideal childhood, he gave them a look into the way that families should behave and should love and that is a gift. I'll continue to watch The Waltons and I'll continue to hear his soothing sweet voice at the end of each episode and that way he stays with us forever.
I believe he knew exactly how much love we all had for him. Some said it with all the letters coming to him on a regular basis throughout his lifetime, some said it face to face at the reunions he was able to attend. A while back, a member of this forum put together a book for his 90th birthday and a lot of people contributed letters to Mr. Hamner to be published in the book. When he received it he sent everyone who contributed an email, thanking them for their kind words. He was so surprised, humbled and gracious.
It sounds like he had a lovely send off to Heaven. I would love to be surrounded by my family and friends, listening to John Denver.
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Post by sueinbc on Mar 25, 2016 14:06:10 GMT -5
RIP Mr Hamner. You will be missed.
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Post by bjholden85 on Mar 25, 2016 15:27:37 GMT -5
Although I never met Mr. Hamner I feel like I lost someone very special to me. I pray that God blesses and comforts his family and friends.
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Shell
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Post by Shell on Mar 25, 2016 15:27:49 GMT -5
I am sad to learn of Earl's passing. My condolences to his family, friends and cast members from the show.
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Post by tvlover on Mar 25, 2016 15:48:56 GMT -5
I didn't see the news about his death until last night around 10 p.m. I had been very busy during the day, and last night at 10 was the only time I could sit down at the computer and look at things. I was very sad when I heard about his passing. He was a truly wonderful man who was loved by many. Thank you, Earl, for giving us The Waltons. You will be truly missed, but you will love on in our hearts. Rest in peace, my friend.
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Post by carol on Mar 25, 2016 17:12:49 GMT -5
Night Earl Boy. I don't watch TV, is there anything on the main news about him or is it all ISIS? I haven't seen anything maybe someone else has?
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Post by carol on Mar 25, 2016 17:21:52 GMT -5
This is sad news but not unexpected. What an enormously creative and full life he had in his 92 years! My condolences to his family and friends and all those who loved and knew him well. Grieve his passing, celebrate his having been here. Given his age and his poor health of late we knew this day was coming but we are never prepared for it when that day finally comes. Even to those of us who never met him it still feels like a member of the family has died. He came into our living rooms every week years ago and now every day or whenever we want him to simply by putting in a Waltons DVD. He may no longer be here physically but his spirit and his words will live on.
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Post by carol on Mar 25, 2016 17:39:14 GMT -5
One Hundred Days / One Hundred Thoughts... Or So 3,306 Friday, March 25, 2016 Good Night, Sweet Prince March 25, 2016 Today, the iconic closing of The Waltons television experience will forever mean more to those whose lives were touched by Earl Hamner. Earl died yesterday at the age of 92. His mellifluous voice as he narrated the stories based on his youthful days in Schulyer, Virgina is unique in all narration. I was fortunate to be introduced to him by my friend, Carol Marie, who was his assistant for a time in the hey day of the show. The honor of escorting Grandma Walton (Ellen Corby) to the Waltons Christmas Party came to me twice. Once pre stroke and once post. Post stroke, she chimed in with "Oh Boy!" a lot. I did one episode of the show as a radio announcer. What every single person who ever encountered Earl Hamner will repeat and repeat is what a present and lovely person he was. He remembered his friends with specifics about their lives. He bought my lunch. He made me feel like a peer. A peerless man, made us all feel his loving equal. If you live over ninety years, I think that's doing something. Earl lived a long and productive life and shared it with his family and the world. He shared with me and for our occasional but wonderful times together, there was no one else in the room. He made sure I was invited to UCLA to view the documentary that was made about his life and I watched every single visitor, from his lovely Lady Jane to the livery service driver be treated with love and respect. He was my friend. Every person who ever shared his smile or shook his hand or was embraced by him will say the same thing. He was our friend. Eulogies are interesting things. I've given a couple and this is the one that may touch me the deepest. We hate to have our friends hit the trail, but it is inevitable and in this case, not such a sad parting as a longing for one more moment and the missed chance to say Good Night. Earl Hamner was honest and true. He shared a talent that few possess and was a friend to everyone who met him. Good night, my generous friend. There are others we mourn this week. Ken Howard and Garry Sandling, both too soon. We must live our lives and be grateful for these precious moments. March 25, 2016 michaelsheehan onehundreddays100.blogspot.com/2016/03/good-night-sweet-prince.html
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Post by Brenda on Mar 25, 2016 17:49:30 GMT -5
I am waiting for his family to tell us where we can send donations in his honor. I am sure there are many charities that Earl loved. Someone on Facebook mentioned that he loved trees and they were going to plant a tree in his honor. That is very special. I know how much he cared for animals (just read his book Avocado Drive Zoo!). Perhaps a donation to your local SPCA, Humane Society or dog rescue would be good? Or to the Walton Community Center and museum. A scholarship in his honor would be nice too but I will see what his family wishes and go from there. Posted by Scott Hamner on Facebook. 14 mins · Studio City, CA · I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support offered to the Hamner family. As pleased as you may imagine Dad would be by the kindness and warm regard you have shown him and to the Hamner family, Dad would be even more pleased than that! Honestly, we are humbled and overwhelmed (in a good way) and it eases our hearts just a little bit... We have been asked about a memorial or service and all I can tell you at this time is that Dad was emphatically opposed to the idea. He even made my mother promise him not to even consider the idea! So, we are respecting his wishes, but at the same time trying to imagine a way to remember him that he would like. (I.e., we all meet at the James River in Virgina and go fishing and drink a lot of Jack Daniels.) In the meantime, if you feel you need to do something to honor him, you will find below a list of organizations that Dad supported. A charitable gift in his memory would make him proud. Thank you again for you sharing your prayers, pictures, rembrances, etc. If I didn't love him so much, I would say it is too much (but it isnt!). Warmest regards, Scott Hamner The Library of Virginia Foundation 800 East Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 The University Richmond Advancement Operations Richmond Hall G-19 University of Richmond, VA 23173 donatenow@richmond.edu The National Audubon Society P.O. Box 97194 Washington DC 20090-7194 The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd. Topanga, CA 90290 Motion Picture & TV Fund Foundation 23388 Mulholland Drive Woodland Hills, CA 91364 Writer's Guild Foundation www.wgfoundation.org7000 West 3rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90048
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Post by JeannePhx on Mar 25, 2016 18:28:48 GMT -5
I've been intending to get back to this forum, life has been very hectic the last year or so. I'm so sad that this is what is bringing me back today. We all knew this day was approaching and I'm so sad for all of us who loved Earl and what he created. I feel so blessed to have met him at the 40th reunion in 2012 and get a photo with him on the porch of the Waltons home on the set. I will treasure that experience always! I hope Earl receives a grand welcome in the hereafter....he surely brought so much joy and love to so many in his life here on earth. A life well lived Mr. Hamner!
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Post by Kathy Lee on Mar 25, 2016 18:41:10 GMT -5
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