Page 7 - Discover Winter 2023
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that he would be politely bland when asked often recognized for their efforts on behalf of
about other personalities and the movies homeless and handicapped children. What
and TV shows of the day. He wasn’t. He had struck me most about Roy Rogers was his
always prided himself on being more than just genuine warmth. He presented himself to us
an entertainer. He believed that as a cinematic as a kindly old grandfather type, and it was
idol, he had a responsibility to be a positive real, not any kind of a put-on.
role model for children.
What got me thinking about all of this
So, when asked about such epics as “E.T”, some 40 odd years later is that in today’s
or “Star Wars”, he flat out told us that he Hollywood, Roy Rogers would be a square
didn’t think much of them. When asked peg in a round hole. His down to earth
why, he told us that those characters were sense of honesty, fair play, and old fashioned
imaginary. He felt that in order to reach values seems conspicuously absent from the
young people and influence their character, it entertainment industry of the 21st century.
was best accomplished with real people. He Remember that Roy had experienced success
pointed out that there was always a moral in movies, TV, radio, and the music industry.
in the stories that he presented, and that his In fact, he is the only person ever to have been
integrity meant everything to him. elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame
twice, once as a member of the Sons of the
Pete had confirmed this prior to our first
Pioneers, and again as a solo artist.
meeting with the singing cowboy. For many
years, Roy had been approached by different He was consistently ranked as one of the
corporations for endorsements. When it was most popular western stars for just over a
Marriott’s turn in the barrel, Pete was told in decade, and he did it without foul language,
no uncertain terms that if he were to lend his bad behavior, or nasty talk. He appeared in
name to this fast food endeavor, he wanted over 100 films, most often as himself. Roy and
final approval on everything that Roy Rogers Dale were outspoken Christians, and often
restaurants would serve. Obviously, Marriott spoke just as loudly with their actions as with
had agreed to his terms. I remember how words.
much I liked the “real good fast food” that Roy
The longer that I live, and the more of the
Rogers restaurants served.
world that I see, the more I appreciate the legacy
Now, one might get the impression that that Roy Rogers left behind, as well as my great
Roy was all talk, but further inquiry dispelled good fortune at having met this marvelous man.
that notion. Roy Rogers, together with his
wife, Dale Evans, adopted several children,
and worked tirelessly as advocates for
adoption and children’s charities. They were
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