Passing of Parley Baer

Starter of this subject: Stewart Wright
Last post in this subject: 11/23/2002
Messages in this subject: 4

Stewart Wright

11/23/2002
4 replies

Last night, Friday November 22nd, at 10:30 PM Parley Baer died, following a stroke and heart attack last week.

While I am saddened to hear the news about Parley, I do have a very fond, recent memory of him.

At the Friday dinner session of this year's SPERDVAC Convention, I was seated at the same table as Parley. His daughter, Kim, and Herb Ellis had brought him. When Parley was introduced as an honorary member of SPERDVAC, the Convention attendees applauded loudly. I could tell this pleased Parley. The applause continued and everyone rose to their feet to give him a standing ovation. Parley was visibly moved by this outpouring of affection; I saw a tear run down his cheek.

I am so glad that I had a chance to meet this wonderful actor and that Parley had one last chance to be with so many people who admired his talents and loved him.

Stewart

Bob Flood

11/24/2002
2 replies

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Parley Baer. He was a fine and wonderful actor and truly a decent and kind human being. I met him at the Lum and Abner convention in Mena, Arkansas back in 1995 and he was such a GENTLE MAN...He gave real character to being a character actor. Rest in peace Chester Proudfoote.

Steven Thompson

11/24/2002
1 replies

Parley was one of the nicest celebrities I have ever met, as well as one of the most quick-witted. On his first year at the Cincinnati convention, he was quite late for a scheduled appearance. Bob Hastings was regaling us all with tales of Joe Flynn when Parley entered the room, apologized and said "Sorry, I'm late. I wandered into the wrong convention and had to cast the deciding vote." Another time, I had just appeared in the role of a dog opposite Parley in a re-creation.He apparently liked my barking because he put his arm around my shoulder and said, "Tuesday, Studio B, HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES. Be there!" It's always sad when a celebrity you've admired passes.It's particularly sad when you've met them and they were as nice as Parley Baer.

Nate Williams

11/24/2002
0 replies

Does anybody know of address lists of some of the old time radio folks? I think it would be nice to remember some of these people that we enjoyed hearing over the years with a letter while they are still with us or would that be imposing upon them?

Bob Flood

12/1/2002
0 replies

This was a little poem I wrote for Parley Baer when he visited Mena, Ark. and the Lum and Abner Convention back in 1995...

Gunsmoke Dreams
By Robert Flood

I dream of the days when cowboys ruled the West.
With a six gun song and a well colored vest.
With a horse and a hat and some Gunsmoke fire.
With a full day's work and gold coins for hire.

I see in my dream that the saloon was the place .
To either meet your destiny or tempt your fate.
To drink with old Doc, Chester and Miss Kitty.
To view life fully without regret of pity.

Since most men need to prove what a sharpshooter can be
Their lives are filled with gun shots and nickel whiskey.
A Marshall must walk the streets of Dodge with a stride
Feeling confident and comfortable with Chester by his side.

Marshall Dillon has been wounded, shot and abused.
But with old Doc Adams, most of us were amused.
Doc's humor was off-beat, even a little pixie.
He was a barber at heart, who one day would sing Dixie.

The stories were legends of an outcast core.
And in the end our hero would even up the score.
Marshall Dillon's great gunplay would never cease or yield.
For that special quality we can thank Meston and Crutchfield.

There are few in this world that are "Gunsmoke" true.
But those that are, are through and through.
And when the job is done, and it is time to rest.
I noticed that God made the sun respectfully set in the West.

In tribute to Parley Baer