The Last Call From Kornfield Kounty: A Complete List Of Hee Haw Cast Deaths And Their Final Years (Updated 2025)

The beloved world of Kornfield Kounty has grown quieter in recent years, with the passing of many legendary stars who brought country comedy and music into millions of homes for decades. The show, which ran from 1969 to 1997, created a unique cultural legacy, but time continues to take its toll on the iconic cast. As of December 12, 2025, fans are mourning the very recent losses of several key figures, including the unexpected passing of Lulu Roman and character actor Gailard Sartain, making the updated list of the show’s deceased members a poignant reflection on the end of a golden era. The passing of these stars, from the tragic early death of "Stringbean" Akeman to the recent losses of the 2020s, reminds us of the profound impact of the *Hee Haw* family. Below is a comprehensive look at the lives and final years of the cast members who have left the barn.

A Complete In Memoriam: Biography and Final Years of the Deceased Hee Haw Cast

The following list details the most prominent cast members who have passed away, providing their birth and death dates, age, and cause of death where known. This list serves as a tribute to the performers who defined the show's unique blend of humor and country music.

• Gailard Sartain (The Man on the Street / Various Characters)
  • Born: September 18, 1943
  • Died: June 19, 2025
  • Age: 81
  • Cause of Death: Natural Causes
  • Biography Note: A versatile character actor who was a long-time regular on *Hee Haw*, Sartain was also known for his roles in films like *The Outsiders* and the *Ernest* franchise. His death in June 2025 was a recent shock to the entertainment world.
• Lulu Roman (The Plump Girl / Various Characters)
  • Born: May 6, 1946
  • Died: April 23, 2025
  • Age: 78
  • Cause of Death: Unexpectedly (Complications not fully detailed)
  • Biography Note: Known for her gospel singing and comedic timing, Lulu Roman was one of the last surviving members of the show’s main ensemble. Her unexpected passing in April 2025 left a profound void in the country music and comedy community.
• Roni Stoneman (The Ironing Board Lady)
  • Born: May 5, 1938
  • Died: February 22, 2024
  • Age: 85
  • Cause of Death: Undisclosed
  • Biography Note: An accomplished bluegrass banjo player and a member of the pioneering Stoneman Family, Roni was a fixture on *Hee Haw* for 20 years, known for her comedic character "The Ironing Board Lady." Her death in early 2024 was a major loss for the show’s legacy.
• Buck Trent (Banjo Player)
  • Born: February 17, 1938
  • Died: October 9, 2023
  • Age: 85
  • Cause of Death: Natural Causes
  • Biography Note: A highly respected country music instrumentalist, Trent was known for his signature "Buck Trent style" on the five-string banjo and his work with Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton before joining *Hee Haw*. His death in late 2023 marked the loss of another musical great.
• Roy Clark (Co-Host)
  • Born: April 15, 1933
  • Died: November 15, 2018
  • Age: 85
  • Cause of Death: Complications from Pneumonia
  • Biography Note: As the co-host and musical anchor of the show, Clark was an immensely talented multi-instrumentalist whose warmth and humor were central to *Hee Haw*'s success.
• George Lindsey (Goober Pyle)
  • Born: December 17, 1928
  • Died: May 6, 2012
  • Age: 83
  • Cause of Death: Brief Illness
  • Biography Note: Best known as the lovable Goober Pyle from *The Andy Griffith Show*, Lindsey brought his iconic character to *Hee Haw* for many years after the CBS show was canceled.
• Buck Owens (Co-Host)
  • Born: August 12, 1929
  • Died: March 25, 2006
  • Age: 76
  • Cause of Death: Heart Attack
  • Biography Note: The other half of the hosting duo, Owens was a Country Music Hall of Famer and a pioneer of the Bakersfield sound. He died peacefully after a performance.
• Grandpa Jones (Louis Marshall Jones) (Banjo Player/Comedian)
  • Born: October 20, 1913
  • Died: February 19, 1998
  • Age: 84
  • Cause of Death: Massive Stroke Complications
  • Biography Note: The energetic, perpetually youthful-looking Jones was a bluegrass and old-time country music legend, known for his signature "Briscoe" character and his vigorous banjo playing.
• Minnie Pearl (Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon) (Comedian)
  • Born: October 25, 1912
  • Died: March 4, 1996
  • Age: 83
  • Cause of Death: Complications from a Stroke
  • Biography Note: The Grand Ole Opry icon was known for her trademark hat with the price tag dangling from it and her signature "Howdyyyyy!" greeting. Her homespun humor made her a global country comedy star.
• Archie Campbell (The Barber)
  • Born: November 7, 1914
  • Died: August 29, 1987
  • Age: 72
  • Cause of Death: Heart Attack/Kidney Problems
  • Biography Note: Campbell was a comedian, writer, and singer who helped create the show’s unique format. He was famous for his "Pfft! You Were Gone!" sketch and his cigar-chomping barber character.
• Kenny Price (Elrod)
  • Born: May 27, 1931
  • Died: August 4, 1987
  • Age: 56
  • Cause of Death: Heart Failure/Heart Attack
  • Biography Note: Nicknamed the "Round Mound of Sound," Price was a country singer and guitarist who played the corpulent Elrod on the show for 14 years.
• Junior Samples (Alvin Samples Jr.) (The Salesman)
  • Born: April 10, 1926
  • Died: November 13, 1983
  • Age: 56
  • Cause of Death: Heart Attack
  • Biography Note: Discovered by Archie Campbell, Samples was a true country comic known for his hilarious attempts to sell everything from cars to swamp land in his famous "Gloom, Despair, and Agony on Me" segments.
• David "Stringbean" Akeman (Banjo Player/Comedian)
  • Born: June 17, 1915
  • Died: November 10, 1973
  • Age: 58
  • Cause of Death: Murdered (Shot)
  • Biography Note: Stringbean’s tragic death is one of the darkest stories in country music history. He and his wife, Estelle, were murdered during a robbery at their home, a shocking event that profoundly changed the security landscape for Opry stars.

The Tragedies and Tributes: The Hee Haw Cast Members Who Died Too Soon

While many *Hee Haw* cast members enjoyed long lives, the show's history is marked by several tragic and premature losses, forever connecting the show to stories of hardship and unexpected endings. The most shocking remains the 1973 murder of David "Stringbean" Akeman.

Akeman, known for his unique five-string banjo style and his long, thin frame, was a beloved figure on the Grand Ole Opry and *Hee Haw*. On November 10, 1973, he and his wife, Estelle, were killed by burglars who believed the couple kept large sums of cash hidden in their modest home. This devastating event changed the culture of Nashville, prompting many Opry stars to increase their security and marking a loss of innocence for the country music community.

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Another profound loss was that of Junior Samples in 1983 and Kenny Price in 1987, both succumbing to heart attacks in their mid-50s. Their deaths highlighted the health struggles many of the cast members faced, including the complications of weight and a demanding entertainment schedule. Junior Samples, in particular, was a natural, unscripted talent whose authentic country charm was irreplaceable.

The Last Laughs: Recent Losses That Mark the End of an Era (2023-2025)

The 2020s have been particularly difficult for the *Hee Haw* family, with four major cast members passing away in just three years. The most recent deaths of Lulu Roman and Gailard Sartain in 2025 truly signal the final curtain call for the show's main ensemble.

Lulu Roman, who had overcome a difficult childhood and drug addiction to become a Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame singer, was a testament to resilience. Her unexpected passing in April 2025 at the age of 78 was a sudden blow to fans who cherished her comedic sketches and powerful singing voice.

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Just two months later, in June 2025, the show lost Gailard Sartain. Sartain, known for his dry wit and ability to play a wide range of Southern characters, died of natural causes at 81. His passing came shortly after the loss of banjo virtuoso and comedian Roni Stoneman in February 2024, and the revered instrumentalist Buck Trent in October 2023.

These recent losses underscore the aging of the cast and the fading connection to the show's original run. The passing of Trent, Stoneman, Roman, and Sartain in quick succession closes a chapter on the vibrant, music-filled world of Kornfield Kounty.

The Immortal Legacy of Kornfield Kounty and Surviving Stars

Despite the long list of losses, the spirit of *Hee Haw* endures. The show's unique format, which mixed corny jokes, musical performances, and sketches like "The Culhanes" and "Pfft! You Were Gone!", created a timeless piece of Americana. The show launched the careers of many and gave a national platform to country music and its artists.

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The legacy of the show is carried on by the few remaining surviving cast members, including the "Hee Haw Honeys" like Irlene Mandrell, Victoria Hallman, and Linda Thompson, as well as comedian Mike Snider, who continue to honor the show’s memory.

The show's enduring success, which included a staggering 25-year run, is a testament to the chemistry between the hosts, Roy Clark and Buck Owens, and the ensemble cast. From the tragic murder of Stringbean to the recent 2025 passings, each star contributed a unique thread to the fabric of *Hee Haw*, ensuring that the sounds and sights of Kornfield Kounty will continue to resonate with generations of fans.