Ralph Waite, Dad of 'The Waltons,' Dead at 86
Source: Yahoo! TV
Ralph Waite, who played patriarch John Walton Sr. on "The Waltons," has died. He was 86 years old.
Waite spent nine seasons in Walton's Mountain as the dad of a rural Depression-era family on CBS's beloved family drama. "The Waltons" was a Top 20 hit in the mid-1970s, and is fondly remembered for the family's heartfelt good-night routine: "Good night, John-Boy."
Read more: http://tv.yahoo.com/blogs/tv-news/ralph-waite--dad-of--the-waltons---dead-at-86-014947713.html
I never watched the show but it is ashame he passed. I am sorry for his family.
I did like his work as Gibbs Dad on NCIS.
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Good night, sir.
Safe passage...
This has been a bad week.... 
Outside of "The Waltons", I also remembered that he played the 3rd mate to Ed Asner's Cpt. Davies on the ship that transported Kunte Kinte to the U.S. in "Roots"... The character talked about the "tight pack" and "loose pack" for the hold depending on how many were to be transproted.
Hadn't heard much about him recently.
R.I.P.
Was nice to see his face again after all the years -- and to see acting was still his gig.
John Walton would have been my grandfather.
My grandparents were farmers.
Goodnight John Walton.
For some reason I've been watching Waltons reruns lately. Such a gentle and heartwarming show. Have also liked that Ralph has played Gibbs' father in NCIS. Fine actor who has blessed many through the years.
Rest in Peace, Ralph. We shall miss you.
Elizabeth: Good night, John Boy.
John-Boy: Good night, Elizabeth. Good night, Daddy.
John: Good night, Son. Good night, Mary Ellen.
Mary Ellen: Good night, Daddy. Good night, Mama.
Olivia: Good night, Mary Ellen. Good night, Jim Bob.
Jim Bob: Good night, Mama. Good night, Erin.
Erin: Good night, Jim Bob. Good night, Ben.
Ben: Good night, Erin. Good night, everybody.
would never watch the Walton's because he thought it was hooey saying "the Waltons were rich in those days... not poor". I however, loved the show and always thought Pa Walton was dreamy...I always heard people he worked with say good things about him too...he seemed like a very nice man. I wish him godspeed on wherever he traverses next!
R.I.P. Pa....
R.I.P.
