Friends Mourn Passing of Dedicated Lawman - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

tv star collector · 03-03-2006, 06:41 PM

James Ferrell, opinion page editor for the Rock Hill, S.C., Herald newspaper, wrote this column today. I wanted to share it with Barney Fife's many fans.

MAYBERRY, N.C. -- Barney Fife, former deputy with the county sheriff's office
and a retired member of the Raleigh Police Department, has died. He was 81.

Fife for many years in the 1960s was the lone deputy under Sheriff Andy Taylor.
Taylor, who left Mayberry to become a well-known criminal defense attorney in
Atlanta, returned to his hometown to attend funeral services for Fife last week.

"Barney was a small man, but everything else about him was large. He was
special, there's nobody like him," Taylor said.

The former sheriff was accompanied by his wife Helen, and his son, Opie, who,
after moving to Los Angeles, has become a renowned movie director.

"Barney was like an uncle to me," said the younger Taylor, whose mother
died when he was a small child. "Next to Dad and Aunt Bee, I'd say Barney
was the most important and influential adult figure I knew when I was growing
up."

Bee Taylor, Andy Taylor's aunt, died in 1989 at age 86.

Deputy Fife was a popular figure in town. While often the brunt of good-
natured joking, he was known for his dedication to law enforcement and his
generous nature.

"He was like a bantam rooster, but he had a big heart," said Elwood Lawson,
who now operates a downtown barbershop and popular gathering place once
owned by his late uncle, Floyd Lawson. "Barney could get himself into a fix
now and then, too, but it usually seemed to work out all right in the end.
That was mostly thanks to Andy, who was a real pro. But Barney was a
loyal, hard-working deputy for a long time, and a good friend to my family."

Those sentiments were echoed by Brig. Gen. Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Ret.,
another close friend of Fife's.

"Golllleee, it's hard to believe old Barn is gone," said Pyle, who returned to
reside in Mayberry after a long career in the Marine Corps. "Seems like only
yesterday that I was checking the oil on his cruiser over at Wally's filling
station with cousin Goober. Yessiree, we had some good times, some
exciting times."

Pyle recalled the time he and Fife helped break up a secret moonshine
operation in what many residents had regarded as a haunted house.
Sheriff Taylor also played a role in apprehending the moonshiners.

Fife also was instrumental in solving a mysterious hotel jewelry theft ring
while with the Raleigh P.D. Although Sheriff Taylor was on hand to help,
Fife got credit for arresting the culprit.

Otis Campbell, another long-time friend, also spoke fondly of Fife.

"I guess it's no big secret that I used to be the town drunk, and I owe a lot
to Barney for helping me get sober," Campbell said. "He's let me come and go
down at the jail whenever I went on a bender. I'd sleep it off in the cell.
Barney was always there for me when I needed him."

Fife was active in community affairs and a lifetime member of the All Souls
Church. He sang, briefly, in the church choir.

He is survived by his wife, Thelma Lou, and a son, Barney Fife Jr., a detective
with the Mount Pilot Police Department.

TV DVD Fan · 03-03-2006, 11:46 PM

I dunno, seems like a TAD too typecasting.

Mr. Knotts was known not only for this classic sitcom, but for many other great television appearances ("Three's Company", "8 Simple Rules", etc.) and films ( "It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World", "The Incredible Mr. Limpet", "The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again", and the "Reluctant Hero" films, etc.)

He made Barney Fife, but he was more than Barney Fife...

With that said- nevertheless, a nice gesture and a decent tribute to Knotts' famed television character. Still, please realize, this is more than Barney Fife's tribute--- it's a media giant's tribute.

Good night, everyone.

Pat

Zoneboy · 03-15-2006, 12:21 AM

The Writer either failed to do his homework or simply forgot that both Otis & Helen have also passed on.

showfan · 03-15-2006, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrocker22

The Writer either failed to do his homework or simply forgot that both Otis & Helen have also passed on.

Right. He also didn't know that Gomer and Andy were back in Mayberry in the 80s.

03-03-2006, 06:41 PM	#1
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	Friends Mourn Passing of Dedicated Lawman James Ferrell, opinion page editor for the Rock Hill, S.C., Herald newspaper, wrote this column today. I wanted to share it with Barney Fife's many fans. MAYBERRY, N.C. -- Barney Fife, former deputy with the county sheriff's office and a retired member of the Raleigh Police Department, has died. He was 81. Fife for many years in the 1960s was the lone deputy under Sheriff Andy Taylor. Taylor, who left Mayberry to become a well-known criminal defense attorney in Atlanta, returned to his hometown to attend funeral services for Fife last week. "Barney was a small man, but everything else about him was large. He was special, there's nobody like him," Taylor said. The former sheriff was accompanied by his wife Helen, and his son, Opie, who, after moving to Los Angeles, has become a renowned movie director. "Barney was like an uncle to me," said the younger Taylor, whose mother died when he was a small child. "Next to Dad and Aunt Bee, I'd say Barney was the most important and influential adult figure I knew when I was growing up." Bee Taylor, Andy Taylor's aunt, died in 1989 at age 86. Deputy Fife was a popular figure in town. While often the brunt of good- natured joking, he was known for his dedication to law enforcement and his generous nature. "He was like a bantam rooster, but he had a big heart," said Elwood Lawson, who now operates a downtown barbershop and popular gathering place once owned by his late uncle, Floyd Lawson. "Barney could get himself into a fix now and then, too, but it usually seemed to work out all right in the end. That was mostly thanks to Andy, who was a real pro. But Barney was a loyal, hard-working deputy for a long time, and a good friend to my family." Those sentiments were echoed by Brig. Gen. Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Ret., another close friend of Fife's. "Golllleee, it's hard to believe old Barn is gone," said Pyle, who returned to reside in Mayberry after a long career in the Marine Corps. "Seems like only yesterday that I was checking the oil on his cruiser over at Wally's filling station with cousin Goober. Yessiree, we had some good times, some exciting times." Pyle recalled the time he and Fife helped break up a secret moonshine operation in what many residents had regarded as a haunted house. Sheriff Taylor also played a role in apprehending the moonshiners. Fife also was instrumental in solving a mysterious hotel jewelry theft ring while with the Raleigh P.D. Although Sheriff Taylor was on hand to help, Fife got credit for arresting the culprit. Otis Campbell, another long-time friend, also spoke fondly of Fife. "I guess it's no big secret that I used to be the town drunk, and I owe a lot to Barney for helping me get sober," Campbell said. "He's let me come and go down at the jail whenever I went on a bender. I'd sleep it off in the cell. Barney was always there for me when I needed him." Fife was active in community affairs and a lifetime member of the All Souls Church. He sang, briefly, in the church choir. He is survived by his wife, Thelma Lou, and a son, Barney Fife Jr., a detective with the Mount Pilot Police Department.

03-03-2006, 11:46 PM	#2
TV DVD Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2005 Posts: 2,602	I dunno, seems like a TAD too typecasting. Mr. Knotts was known not only for this classic sitcom, but for many other great television appearances ("Three's Company", "8 Simple Rules", etc.) and films ( "It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World", "The Incredible Mr. Limpet", "The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again", and the "Reluctant Hero" films, etc.) He made Barney Fife, but he was more than Barney Fife... With that said- nevertheless, a nice gesture and a decent tribute to Knotts' famed television character. Still, please realize, this is more than Barney Fife's tribute--- it's a media giant's tribute. Good night, everyone. Pat
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03-15-2006, 12:21 AM	#3
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,349	The Writer either failed to do his homework or simply forgot that both Otis & Helen have also passed on.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.