Passing of Andy Griffith feels like loss of a friend

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Andy-Griffith.jpg Terry Wise
Dick Ham

July 9, 2012

Passing of Andy Griffith feels like loss of a friend

Just Thinking

By Dick Ham Register Columnist The Richmond Register Mon Jul 09, 2012, 09:00 PM EDT

RICHMOND — I was just thinking the other day about an experience I had on July 3. I was watching the morning news on TV and learned of the death of Andy Griffith. I must admit, that news affected me in a way I would not have expected.

I became a fan of the Andy Griffith Show from the very beginning of that show’s run. I still look forward to and enjoy reruns. I doubt if there is an episode that I have not seen numerous times. In spite of that, when one comes on, my thought is, Oh, good! I get to see that one again.

I honestly like the old ones that were in black and white more than the newer ones in color. Actually, I like them all, but the newer ones made Andy just a bit more sophisticated and his speech was not quite so “country.” The casting of that show may have been the best ever in a TV sitcom. In my opinion, Don Knotts as Barney Fife was the all-time greatest appropriate casting ever.

I remember specific episodes that were especially enjoyable.

I remember when Opie shot and killed a bird with his slingshot. He knelt down, held the bird in his hands, cried and begged the bird to come back to life. I thought at the time, if there has ever been an acting job that deserves an award that was it. It seemed to be so extremely good for a child so young.

Some other shows I love are the ones with the Darling family. Briscoe, his daughter Charlene, and his four sons were so funny to watch. The boys are outstanding Bluegrass pickers who never smile but have a deadpan face all the time. I loved the episode when Briscoe decided he wanted to marry Aunt Bea and the things she did to cause him to change his mind.

I believe anyone will agree with me that as good as the show was, Andy himself was the glue that held it together. I hope reruns continue as long as I live.

Then there was another of my favorite shows, “Matlock.” Andy played a crusty older attorney who was an absolute master at solving all sorts of criminal cases. He was an outstanding court room attorney, but equally as good at going out to crime scenes and discovering evidence that would give him a win in the courtroom.

That show served to prove again what an outstanding actor Andy was.

I must admit that one of the reasons I admired Andy so much was an experience I had several years ago. I was watching on TV a service from the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif. In that service, Dr. Schuler had Andy as a special guest. I heard Andy give a very wonderful testimony of his own Christian faith. He told of how he grew up and when he first became a Christian. That simply added to my admiration of the man.

I have no hesitation at all to say, when Andy Griffith died, I lost a very dear friend. I say that, athough I have never been one to have great admiration for actors/actresses and entertainers. Andy is the one exception to that.

Rest in peace, friend.

Trivia answer

In spite of the crime rate in Miami, The American Police Hall of Fame and Museum is located there.

Trivia question

An Indian chief named Paduke has his name memorialized in a city in what state?

Thought for the day

Some airlines are putting mistletoe at the baggage counter. That is to remind you to kiss your luggage goodbye.

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