Remembering Goober

One of the hard parts about getting older is that with time you start to lose the people you grew up with, whether actual friends and relatives, or those we knew because of the parts they played in the television shows or movies we watched. When you can turn on TV Land or TBS or any one of a number of stations that show re-runs from your youth and see them as they were then, it's hard to accept that everyone grows older, and that people die.


I just found out that we recently lost George Lindsey. George was best known for playing Goober Pyle, Gomer's not-so-bright cousin, in the Andy Griffith series. Goober was always a hoot. You never knew what he was going to do or say, but you could usually count on it being rather dumb.

Although perhaps not a great intellect, Goober had great mechanical ability, and worked as a mechanic down at the filling station. He was known to wear high water pants, a wide belt, and a trademark cap that resembled that of Jughead Jones from the Archie comics. He generally had a smile and a Hey for everyone he met.



It was always fun to see Goober and his cousin Gomer get together. Jim Nabors played Gomer, who ended up enlisting in the Marine Corps, and we all know what happened there, don't we? That's a whole other show in itself.

Goober was a staple character in Mayberry, even if he had less sense than the sheriff's son, Opie (played by cute little Ron Howard, now big-time director). His ability to impress the opposite sex was less than stellar, and he could ruffle people's fur real easy sometimes. If I remember correctly, he didn't get along very well with Malcolm, the Englishman who visited Mayberry for a bit (Bernard Fox, also of Hogan's Heroes and Bewitched fame). I think he hung out with people like Floyd the barber (ever catch Eugene Levy's portrayal of him on SCTV? Priceless!), and later Emmett the Fix It guy. He and Howard Sprague were at odds, probably because Howard was a smart guy and they were just polar opposites.

Besides Andy Griffith, George was on Mayberry, RFD (the less than stellar sequel to Andy Griffith, despite starring Ken Berry of F Troop fame), and also spent many years on Hee Haw.

Although he did not attend the service, Andy Griffith sent a statement. Ray Stevens sang "Everything is Beautiful" and longtime friend Ernest Borgnine sent a video tribute. George had a lot of friends and fans, and he'll be remembered fondly.

Rest in peace, George.

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie