Goober is dead and I don't feel so good myself

Want to hear me take off on Cary Grant?

Judy, Judy, Judy.

So went the familiar routine between Goober and Sheriff Andrew Jackson Taylor on one of the greatest television shows since, well, since television.

Goober died today.

George Goober Lindsey was 83.

He was a school teacher, a veteran of the United States Air Force, and will, for all eternity, be remembered as Goober Pyle (or Goober Beasley, for the purists) by all and sundry fans of "The Andy Griffith Show."

You're starting to whistle the theme song, now, aren't you?

So am I.

I've read this evening that George Lindsey later appeared on "M*A*S*H" as Dr. Roy Dupree, but I can't seem to recall that episode. He was on "Gunsmoke," too.

One particular episode of "The Andy Griffith Show" that I do recall was when Goober was tricked into believing he owned a talking dog.

Opie (Ron Howard) and one of his pals (perhaps Johnny Paul?), had a set of walkie-talkies and placed a receiver under the collar of Goober's mutt.

The boys had a bit of juvenile fun with ol' Goob, until Sheriff Taylor found out. Andy and Goober turned the tables on the boys and the show ended – as it often did – with a good lesson in life.

That's how television was in its early days. Whether it was a family comedy, a Western, or a crime drama, by the final 60 seconds of the show more often than not, right would prevail.

The family shows closed with another hard-earned lesson for the youngsters. The Westerns closed with Marshal Matt Dillion gunning down the bad guys. And the crime dramas ended with Marshal Dillon's former sidekick, Chester, (Dennis Weaver) chasing down the crooks on horseback in New York City as Sam McCloud.

For many TV viewers, George "Goober" Lindsey was probably best remembered for his 20-year run on the "Hee-Haw" musical comedy show from 1972-92.

But here's something maybe you did not know.

George Lindsey raised more than $1 million for Special Olympics in his native Alabama. He also raised more than $50,000 for the Alabama Association of Retarded Citizens. For these efforts, he received the 1995 Governor's Achievement Award.

Goober died today.

Rafe Hollister, Otis Campbell and Ernest T. Bass miss him.

So do I. He was a good man.

Pretty soon, sooner than I'd like to consider, we will be reading about the death of the last living cast member of "The Andy Griffith Show." That will be a sad day, indeed.

Please tell me that actress Elinor Donahue is still alive. I always had a soft spot for the Mayberry pharmacist, Ellie Walker. Until she ran for city council.

Rory Ryan is publisher of The Highland County Press.