Ralph Waite 1928-2014

[Zoneboy]

Link

PALM DESERT — Ralph Waite, a Palm Desert resident known for his role as John Walton Sr. on the 1970s TV series “The Waltons” has died, Waite’s long-time friend Jerry Preece told The Desert Sun.

Waite, 85, died at his Palm Desert home Thursday at about 11 a.m.

Preece, who spent a lot of time with Waite eating at different restaurants and going to the movies, had planned to pick him up at 1 p.m.

When he arrived, he found ambulances and Waite’s wife, Linda Waite.

“She just told me she thought he’d passed,” Preece said.

Linda Waite didn’t immediately respond to phone calls Thursday afternoon.

“We had talked a lot about it...he had been ill on and off lately and had a couple of spells in the hospitals. Everything was just wearing out,” Preece said.

“This last year or two, he had really gotten closer to realizing that his body was wearing out.”

Preece said his friend died of a “tired heart.”

Though Waite gained popularity for his role on the depression-era show and then for his role as Mark Harmon’s father, Jackson “Jack” Gibbs, on the popular CBS series NCIS, he established religious and political roots in the Coachella Valley.

In his later years, Waite, an ordained Presbyterian minister who left organized religion more than 50 years ago, discovered Spirit of the Desert Presbyterian Fellowship, which meets Sunday evenings at United Church of the Desert on Warner Trail.

"It was just what I was looking for," Wait told The Desert Sun in 2010.

"I spent a couple of months reacquainting myself with the Old Testament. ... It's the root of our religion," he said.

Waite also made his way onto the political scene in the 1990s.

Waite, a Democrat, entered the political fray in 1990 when he challenged incumbent Republican congressman Al McCandless, representing the 37th district in Riverside County, losing by 5 percentage points.

Waite said he got involved in politics because "I thought our representative in Congress was not up to par. I ran and lost, but had a great time."

In 1998, Waite ran in the special election for the unexpired 44th Congressional District seat left vacant when incumbent Republican Sonny Bono died in a skiing accident.

Waite was defeated in that election by Mary Bono, Sonny's widow.

"Ralph was a very formidable opponent yet I grew to admire him very much. We had some fun with political jesting and jousting but his caring nature and keen wit always made me smile. I am grateful for his contributions to our community, most notably his support of the ABC Recovery Center,” Bono, a former California Assemblywoman, said in a statement Thursday. “The world has last a great star and I join our community in remembering a very good man."

[McGillicuddy]

He was on Days Of Our Lives, playing Father Matt, until a few weeks ago.

[Zoneboy]

That's 3:

Shirley Temple
Sid Caesar
Ralph Waite

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

That's 3:

Shirley Temple
Sid Caesar
Ralph Waite

I was thinking the same thing.

I watched The Waltons every week when it originally aired. It was my Mom's favorite show. I have a lot of great memories of it. Ralph was a great actor. I hope that NCIS does a tribute show for him. He was great on that show too. R.I.P. Ralph. Thanks for the memories.

[Family Ties Forever!]

RIP

That leaves only Michael Learned (still alive) who played the mother Olivia on the show. Both the actor who played Grandpa and the actress that played Grandma passed away several years ago.

[janet42]

Originally Posted by Family Ties Forever!

RIP

That leaves only Michael Learned (still alive) who played the mother Olivia on the show. Both the actor who played Grandpa and the actress that played Grandma passed away several years ago.

The kids are still alive.

[janet42]

I enjoyed watching him on "The Waltons". May he rest in peace.

[80sTrivia]

So sorry to hear of his passing. He was so excellent and believable on The Waltons.

[GrtGzu]

He was also the mean slave master (first mate on the slave ship) in Roots, and a prison inmate in "Cool Hand Luke", along with the guy who played "Yancey" on the show...

[king of comedy]

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

I was thinking the same thing.

I watched The Waltons every week when it originally aired. It was my Mom's favorite show. I have a lot of great memories of it. Ralph was a great actor. I hope that NCIS does a tribute show for him. He was great on that show too. R.I.P. Ralph. Thanks for the memories.

3 great talents. R.I.P.

[Leigh Ann]

RIP Ralph. Too sad that we've lost two actors from The Waltons this past year, Ralph and Joe Conley (Ike).

[Zoneboy]

Link

Ralph Waite, best known for starring in the CBS series "The Waltons" from 1972 to 1981, died Thursday at his home in Palm Desert, Calif., at the age of 85.

The actor played John Walton Sr., the kind-hearted patriarch of a large, poor family living in rural Virginia in the Great Depression. The wholesome series, which also starred Michael Learned as his wife, Olivia, and Richard Thomas as his eldest son John-Boy, famously ended with a vignette in which the family said goodnight as they turned off the lights.

On Thursday, Waite's co-stars reacted to the news of his passing.

"Ralph was a good honest actor and a good honest man," said Learned. "He was my spiritual husband. We loved each other for over 40 years. He died a working actor at the top of his game. He was a loving mentor to many and a role model to an entire generation."

Mary McDonough, who played daughter Erin, also mourned his loss. "'I am devastated to announce the loss of my precious 'papa' Walton, Ralph Waite. I loved him so much; I know he was so special to all of us. He was like a real father to me. Goodnight Daddy. I love you."

Waite, who appeared in the landmark miniseries "Roots" and the films "The Bodyguard," "Cool Hand Luke" and "Cliffhanger," continued to maintain a busy work pace in his later years, recently starring in "Days of Our Lives," "Bones" and "NCIS," where he played the father of Mark Harmon's character.

"Everyone at 'NCIS' is deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and colleague Ralph Waite," said the cast and crew of the hit CBS drama in a joint statement. "Ralph was family to us, a tremendous talent and a very special man. We truly cherish the time we had with him. Our hearts and prayers go out to his loved ones.”

Series star Pauley Perrette also tweeted, "So Sad. Ralph Waite has passed away. Papa Gibbs. We love him at NCIS SO much. So so sad."

"Bones" executive producers Stephen Nathan and Hart Hanson issued a remembrance: "All of us at Bones mourn the loss of Ralph Waite. We loved having him on set and in many ways his character was the moral center of our show as Booth’s plainspoken, loving, war hero grandfather. The entire Bones family sends condolences to his family and loved ones.”

[Penny Lane]

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

That's 3:

Shirley Temple
Sid Caesar
Ralph Waite

Yes................

[Marvo301]

I'm very sad to hear of the passing of Ralph Waite. The Walton's is one of my all time favorite TV series and I loved Mr Waites work on the show as Patriarch John Walton. My condolances to both the Waite Family anf the Walton's Family at this difficult time.
Ralph Waite

[lakesgirl]

RIP Pa Walton. The Waltons was a great family show. Ralph Waite will be missed.