Fess Parker Dies at Santa Inez Valley Home.
Tribue to TV's Davy Crockett
What baby boomer doesn't remember Fess Parker with Buddy Epsen, his sidekick, and long-barreled rifle giving us a taste of life on the frontier. Since I grew up with the likes of John Wayne and Gary Cooper movies, Fess Parker fit right into my entertainment schedule.
Although many of my friends had a coonskin cap, I never did. Instead, I had a Dale Evans cowgirl outfit, which included the vest, skirt, hat, boots, and, of course, trusty six-shooter strapped to my waist. I even had a horse, so to speak, although from the neck down he appeared to be more stick than equine. Didn't matter to me, though, because in my imagination's eye, that horse was as noble a steed as anyone could ride.
I think we young people liked Fess Parker because he symbolized the American spirit of this country and gave life to the history we only read about in our textbooks. It was a different time where our heroes exemplified courage, integrity and honor, things sometimes lacking in the heroes of today.
When I was in high school, I had a friend who told me about meeting Fess Parker in an airport. She was traveling alone, and she had to change planes in a large airport. Not quite sure how to get across the large span to her connecting flight in time, she became flustered. Mr. Parker, overhearing her situation, suggested to the attendants that he would help transport her across the field to her plane. He allowed her to ride with him in the limo that was transporting him, and she arrived safely to her connecting flight. For a young girl, this small kindness was something she remembered long after the fact.
Although Fess Parker chose to retire from his acting and moved on to other endeavors, he definitely left his mark. Many of us will remember and be glad that he was a part of our childhood.
Source:
Associated Press
Published by Pattie Byrd
Pattie Byrd is a freelance writer specializing in humor commentary, reviews and news articles. She has been published in magazines and several internet sites. Growing up in the South, she maintains her lov... View profile
- Skunk Hunting the Davy Crockett WayThe fun of farm life with five older siblings.
- Manifest Destiny, Davy Crockett, the Alamo and the Present Quagmire in IraqWhat do all these things share in common? You'll have to read to find out.
Top Five Wineries of the Silicon ValleyIf you are visiting the Silicon Valley in Santa Clara County on business or pleasure, the following five Santa Clara county wineries each offer something unique in the way of am...- Cheap Flight Gotchas That Can Ruin Your VacationCheap flight prices have opened a world of travel to the average person. While there is room for improvement, air travel is no longer a method of transportation for only the business traveler and the rich.
- The Reasons You Will Love David Crockett State Park in Lawrenceburg, TennesseeDavid Crockett State Park in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, has everything from recreation, nature and relaxation to pieces of history. My family and I have camped in this state park on three different occasions.
- Fess Parker of Davy Crockett and Old Yeller Fame Dead at 85
- Fess Parker, TV's Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, Has Died
- Fess Parker Winery Review
- Crockett at Two Hundred
- Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park in Limestone, Tennessee: Review
- How Did Colonel Davy Crockett Die?
- TV Land Showing a Marathon of Classic Fess Parker Series Daniel Boone This Weekend
28 Comments
Post a CommentI saw this over the weekend. It was one of those stories that made you go "Oh no!" even though you know he was over 80.
good reporting on this-
Another one fades into history - great tribute!
I hadn't heard about this yet. Thanks, Pattie.. I liked him!!
Didn't know who he was by the name, but I did from your description of him, sad to see his passing.
Those were the days my friend. Great one!
Guess I'm too young to know who he was! Interesting report, though.
I remember him so well. I did not realize he was still alive. Loved all his shows when I was a kid.
I do remember Fess playing Davy Crockett, but I remember much better him playing Daniel Boone. Maybe that's because it came on TV after Davy Crockett did. Daniel Boone still comes on I occasionally catch him later at night but don't remember the network or the time nothing like that off the top of my head. Great writing Pattie! Johnny
And on the flip size of the Davy Crockett 45 was a song called "Farewell". Cried like a baby whenever I played it. Sniff.