I was sad today when I turned on the computer and learned that Andy Griffith had passed away. For some of us, he is embedded in our youth and memories of a kinder, gentler time. I won't attempt to eulogize because that's for others to do who actually knew the facts of his life. But I do want to share a picture I took of Andy, with his wife Cindy and daughter Dixie, circa 1973. He was nice enough to stop and share a little time cutting up with us. I'm happy to say that Andy was just as nice and friendly in person as he was on tv.
 |
| click on photo to enlarge |
This picture was taken in Topanga Canyon, California during a parade for charity. I seem to recall it was for the local animal rescue because Earl Holliman and Joanne Worley were in the back of a pickup with a bunch of dogs, asking people to adopt them, but any specifics are gone from my memory now. Several celebrities who lived in the neighborhood came out that day with their vintage cars to help raise money. The reason I was there was because my then husband--that's him in the black hat and jacket, with his arm propped on the top of Andy's seat--was part of a western stunt group that regularly put on shows to benefit charities. At the time, my husband and the rest of the stunt guys were all sailors stationed at Pt. Mugu Naval Air Station. There were three others in the group, but they'd wandered away by the time I took the picture.
Anyway, I just wanted to share and say one last, "Hey, Andy! You will be missed."
Devon
