Loss of a Beloved Uncle, and Patriarch: 1997: Four:

Jesse Duke was not feeling so good when he did the Back Forty, he was finally allowed to go back to having a normal life after being allowed to do his work on his farm, Doc Appleby cleared him after his impressive exam last month, and he can't wait to start to do some work.

But he wished he hadn't pushed himself, and he wasn't doing so hot, and Bo and Luke noticed their uncle's strange behavior, as they were doing their work, and Jesse was breathing hard, and he sat down, and Bo said, "Uncle Jesse, Are you OK?" and Jesse composed himself, and got control of his breathing back, and said, "I am fine, I just jumped back into work too quickly", and Luke got some water from the cooler, and handed it to him, and said, "Here you go, Uncle Jesse, try some of this", and he did, and he felt better, and Luke said, "Let's go home, and blow this place", and Bo said, "Good idea", and they got into the "General Lee" went home to rest.

Lizzie, who was 9 years old, and her twin sisters, B.J. and Lorraine, who were 8 years old were playing in the Living Room, were waiting for the cousins to come home, and when Pamela, who is 20 years old, is a very striking beauty, and Kit, who is 16, is also a beauty, she drives the boys wild in Highschool, and Pamela is there to protect her, and her other baby cousins, and they all lived perfectly together at the Farmhouse. Lizzie heard the crunching of the Gravel, and she said exclaiming, "They're here! They're here!" and they ran outside, Daisy was right behind them with a smile.

Bo and Luke kept watch on their uncle on the way home, and he seemed more peaceful, and they decided that it was just attack of nerves, and stress, and if they see it again, he is going to see Doc Appleby, and Jesse said with a smile, "I can't wait to have an evening of relaxation", and Bo said, "You will get it, if we have to sacrifice ourselves, you will get it", and Luke said, "That means leave the tough work for us", and Jesse nodded, and they enjoyed the scenery on the route home to the Farmhouse.

"Lizzie, B.J., and Lorraine Strate! Let them up right now!" said Daisy in a commanding tone, she was pretending to scold, but she couldn't help but laugh at the scene in front of them, the smaller cousins knocked over their cousins, and they all were hugging, and they all got up, and Lorraine said, "Please take us to the Park, you promised us, Pammy", and Lizzie and B.J. said exclaiming in unison, "Yes, You promised!" and Pamela said with a smile, "How about after dinner, we will definitely go", and Kit said, "We can stay as long as you want", and B.J., Lizzie, and Lorraine all cheered, and hollered in excitement, and they followed Daisy in the house, hands around each others' waists.

The Boys and Jesse came home, and Bo and Luke filled Daisy in on what went on with their uncle, and Daisy warned Jesse not to over do it, and to stay home and take care of what needs to be taken care of here, and the girls offered to help their Grandfather, and Jesse promised he will be careful in the future, and Bo, Daisy, and Luke were not convinced, but they agreed to it, cause they don't want to start a fight in front of the kids.

Rosco decided to retire as Commissioner, and Sheriff in Hazzard County, and he wants to enjoy the good life, of fishing, and camping, and so he decided to call a Town Meeting in Hazzard County Square, and everyone showed up the next day, and everyone was talking, and there was a lot of chattering, and Rosco couldn't whistle, and he tried to get everyone's attention, and Daisy said, "Let me" to the elderly Sheriff, and she went to the stage, and she indicated to Bo and Luke, that she needs help, and they each offer a hand, and she took it, and they lifted her up, and she let out a sharp whistle, and said in a commanding tone, "Shut up, Everyone, Rosco has something to say!", and Rosco said, "Thanks, Daisy", and Luke and Bo lifted her off the stage, and they went back into the crowd.

Rosco said, "I am retiring as Commissioner, and Sheriff, and I found a replacement to take my place effective today", and the Dukes and everyone remembered the disaster of having a new officer in Law Enforcement in Hazzard County, and Bo said, "Who is it this time, Rosco?" and Luke said, "Yeah, Is he good?" and Daisy said, "Is he qualified for the job?" and everyone were shouting out questions, Rosco said with a smile, "I am gonna let you be the judge of it", and he shouted, "Hey, Mystery Man, Come on out!", and who steps out no other than Enos Strate, and everyone was gonna nuts, and were happy.

Rosco said with a smile, "I take it that you are happy with my choice for my replacement?" and everyone shouted, "Yes!" and Daisy started a chant, "Enos, Enos, Enos!" and everyone started it, and Rosco said, "Hush, now", and everyone did, and Rosco said explaining, "Enos already took the Oath, and now this is the Pinning Ceremony", and he said, "Deputy Strate, Step forward", and he did, and Rosco took his old Deputy badge off, and pinned the new one on, and gave him the Commissioner's Oath, and Rosco looked out in the crowd, and said, exclaiming with happiness, "I present to you, Ladies and Gentlemen, Commissioner and Sheriff Enos Strate!" and everyone hollered, whooped, applauded, and cheered, and they headed off to the celebration at "The Boar's Nest" until dawn.

The next month, Enos got rid of the Deputy title, and made Bertha Jo, and Cletus Sheriffs too, and things in Hazzard County ran smoother than ever, and Rosco got to enjoy his retirement, and he got Flash retired too, and they could be found most of the time at the Hazzard County Lake, or Pond, and people have no complaints, and the crime is low, so things are now quieter, and calmer with no chaos for a change.

Jesse did not feel well again, and he went to make some tea, and he collapsed by the Stove, and he was pale, and feverish, and cool to the touch, and he knew as he went down, that no one would be home for hours, and he thought to himself, as he closed his eyes, "Please, please, someone, please help me!" and he closed his eyes, and he was like that for awhile.

Daisy came home for lunch, and Bo and Luke came too, and they went through the Back Door, and they gasped at the sight of their uncle on the floor, and they went down besides him in an instant, and Bo said, "Uncle Jesse, What's wrong? Talk to me", and Jesse opened his eyes, and said, "I feel lousy, and I hurt all over", and Luke said, "Don't worry, we will take care of that", and Daisy said, "I am gonna call an Ambulance", and rushed to do it, and Bo left a note for Pamela, Kit, and Enos to watch the girls, and the Ambulance got there fast, and they were rushed to Tri-County Hospital in no time flat.

Enos was happy with the results for the month, and he decided to give himself, and his Sheriffs a night off, and he went home, and he found the house deserted, and he found the note, and rushed off in "Dixie", and he hopes that he won't be too late to help his family, and his uncle. He thought to himself, "If Uncle Jesse makes it, I promise to cut my hours down, and be there for my family no matter what", and he made the rest of the journey in silence.

Daisy, Bo, and Luke were in the Waiting Room, and they were tired, exhausted, and frustrated that they couldn't help their loved one, and when Doc Appleby came out with a sad expression on his face, and the Dukes knew it was bad, and Doc Appleby said, "He has a bad case of the Flu, and Pneumonia, and it has weaken him to the point of not be able to do anything without being tired", and the Dukes sadly nodded for the elderly Doctor to continue, and he said, "The positive thing is that his stress was not high, cause if it was high, he would had been dead immediately, Point is, that this is time to make him comfortable, and say your "goodbyes", and the Dukes nodded, and thanked him, and he left to make his rounds, and they let out their emotions, and once they composed themselves, they went to see their uncle.

Enos was making his way to the entrance of the hospital, and he got on the C.B., and said, "Cooter, Can you go over to the farm and make sure that everything is all right with the girls, and make sure that they are taken care of, Just for the night?" Cooter's voice came through on the other end, "Sure, Buddyroo, But why? What's the problem?" and Enos filled him, and Cooter said, "Don't worry, Enos, and tell Luke, Bo, and Daisy not to worry neither, Everything will be taken care of at the farm, Just take care of Uncle Jesse, and get him home as fast as you can", and Enos said, "Much Obliged, Cooter, I'm gone", and Cooter said, "Me too", and they hung up, and Enos went inside the hospital.

"Daisy, Bo, Luke, I am so glad to see you", Jesse said, afraid of raising his voice, cause his throat will hurt, and Bo said with a smile, "There isn't a place we rather be, Uncle Jesse", and Daisy and Luke agreed, and then Luke said, "You got to get better, Uncle Jesse, we need you", and then Jesse licked his parched lips, and said, "No you don't, you three learned everything from me all that you need to know, I trust you, and now trust yourselves, your kids need you, so do the best you can, that's all I can ask of you", and Daisy got emotional, and Jesse hugged her, and she felt better, and then he hugged his nephews the way he did, when they were children, and they felt better too, and Jesse said, "I want to talk to the girls, bring them tomorrow", and Daisy, Bo, and Luke nodded, and they let their uncle rest, and they went into the hall, and let out their emotions.

Enos found his wife, and cousins in the hall, and he found that they were in distress, and he went over there to comfort them, and he knew that Jesse wasn't doing so good, and he felt so bad, cause he knew how much Jesse was close to his niece and nephews, and he felt helpless, and he decided to be there, and let them let him know if they need anything. He went over to them, and Daisy ran into his arms, and he comforted her, and then comforted Bo and Luke, and Enos decided to make the offer, "Let me know if there is anything I can do for any of you", and they thanked him, and Bo said, "Can you and Cooter bring the girls tomorrow? Uncle Jesse wants to see them" and Enos said without hesitation, "Of course, Buddy", and Luke smiled, and said, "Thanks, Enos", and they spent the next hour talking, and then went to a nearby café for some coffee, and returned to the Farmhouse sadly to be with their children.

The next morning, Cooter, Enos, Daisy, and the Boys took the girls to see Jesse, and they were hesitant to enter Jesse's room, and Bo said encouragingly, "Go on, Kids, don't be afraid, your Grandfather want to see you", and Pamela said leading her cousins, "Come on, Guys, let's go", and they went in, and Enos, Daisy, and the boys waited outside holding their emotions back.

Jesse smiled as his "Grandkids" entered, and he smiled, and patted large space on the bed for them to sit on, and they did, and Jesse said licking his lips, "I ain't gonna lie to you, I am not doing well, and I want to let you know that I love you and you brought me joy in my life, just like your parents", and they told them that they loved him, and they feel the same way about him, and they cried hard at thought of losing their precious loved one, and they talked some more, about helping out their parents, doing great in school, and being good people, and the girls promised, and Jesse sighed contently, and went to sleep, and the girls went outside to join their parents and Cooter, and let out some tears.

"Oh, It's OK, let it go", Bo said as he and Cooter comforted Kit and Lorraine, and Cooter said with a smile, "It's OK to let out what you feel, Baby", and she nodded, as she choked back a sob, and Daisy and Enos comforted B.J., and Daisy said, "Things will get hard, but we will be OK, we have to stick together, Sweetheart, OK?" and Enos said, "That's right, and if we do, we can get through anything", and B.J. nodded, as she composed herself, and Luke was comforting Pamela and Lizzie, and he said to his only daughter, "Pammy, What are you thinking, Sugar?", and Pamela said, "It's dumb", and Luke said, "Nothing you are thinking is dumb to us, Kiddo", the others agreed, and she said, "OK, I was thinking that if the Doctors can't do anything for Grandpa, we should make him comfortable at home, and make sure that he has the Comforter that Grandma Martha made for all of us, when we were sick", and Luke smiled, "Great idea, Sweetheart", and they all talked for a little while longer, and went home to work on their plans for Jesse's Homecoming.

One night after all the chores are done, the Duke Boys, Daisy, Enos, and their kids were hanging out with Jesse in his room, and then Jesse wasn't do so good, and was coughing, and complaining of Chest pains, and Luke said, "Pamela, You and Kit take your cousins out of the house, and keep them busy" and she said, "Yes, Sir", and she and Kit did as they were told, and took Lizzie, Lorraine, and B.J. out of the house, and the Older Dukes, and Enos comforted Jesse, and tried to comfort Jesse's pains, and wet him down, to keep him cool, and then he choked out, "It's time", and then he breathed heavily, and hard, and then he closed his eyes, and died peacefully in his sleep, and Enos, and the Dukes comforted each other, and they each gave Jesse a kiss "goodbye" on his forehead, and spent time with him before making the arrangements.

The three day ritual of sitting with the body began, and Enos took the 1st shift, and he put pictures of Bo and Luke together as kids, Bo as a baby, Bo, Luke, and Daisy visiting Santa on their 1st Christmas together with Jesse and Martha, and a copy of Jesse's Wedding Picture with Martha, in the coffin. Enos said a prayer, touched the coffin for a minute, and said his "goodbye", and he went to sleep until the girls did their shift.

Pamela and her cousins did the 2nd shift, and they put drawings, and letters in the coffin, and they gave Jesse a kiss on the cheek, and said "goodbye" to him, and they all talked about the memories they shared with the wonderful old man, and they sang Jesse's favorite Gospel Song, "Let it be", and they let out their emotions, and they stayed near the coffin, and fell asleep peacefully for the 1st time since Jesse died.

Bo, Luke, and Daisy did the last shift, and they were sadden to see the condition their uncle was in, and they decided to do a closed casket, and they knew that Hazzard County doesn't want to see one of their own, pale, and lifeless, and the citizens want to remember Jesse as a good friend, neighbor, and family man to his kin, and they want to remember the good things that he did, and they want to keep up his example by help take care of his family during their difficult time.

The Funeral and Memorial Service happened, Rosco insisted on having it at "The Boar's Nest", and he would pay for everything that Bo, Enos, Luke, and Enos wanted in the service, and they were grateful to him, and told him so, and everyone came, even Jesse's old Ridge Runner Buddies, and everyone shed some tears, but not just sadness, but of joy too, and they knew that Jesse wanted it that way, and they shared wonderful memories of Jesse, and how much he meant to Hazzard County and on his tombstone, in fancy writing was this:

Jesse L. Duke

Born: November 4th, 1920 Died: August 14th, 1997

"Beloved Uncle, Grandfather, all around Family man, the Jewel of Hazzard County, and the best friend and citizen of the county"

The Citizens of Hazzard County kept up their promise, and made sure that Jesse's family was taken care of, and they were grateful, and as time went on, the pain diminished, and everyone was feeling better, after they grieved for their loved one, and the Duke Farm is doing well, and there are no more financial problems to worry about, and everyone remembers the man, who is an Uncle, a Citizen, and a Patriarch of his kin, and as they do it, it's not with sadness, but with happiness from that point on.

End of: Loss of a Beloved Uncle, and Patriarch: 1997: Four:

Balladeer: I know this was a sad chapter, and that one of our favorite characters died, but in the next chapter, it's a happy event, Pamela and Kit's Birthday happens, What could their present be? The "General Lee"? Stay put, you don't want to go the Fridge now, the next chapter of: Pamela and Kit: The Early Years is next, y'all