From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia Denver Dell Pyle May 11 1920 December 25 1997 was an American film and television actor He was known for portraying Briscoe Darling Jr in several episodes of The Andy Griffith Show and playing Jesse Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard from 197985 Pyle was born in Bethune Colorado on May 11 1920 to farmer Ben H Pyle and his wife Maude His brother Willis was an animator known for his work with Walt Disney Animation Studios and UPA After graduating from high school Pyle briefly attended Colorado State University but dropped out to enter show business moving to Los Angeles in 1940 He worked as a drummer and band member until the United States entered World War II when he enlisted in the US Navy Pyle was wounded in action in the Battle of Guadalcanal and received a medical discharge in 1942 Near the end of the war he served in the United States Merchant Marine In 1955 Pyle married Marilee Carpenter a production assistant at 20th Century Fox They had sons David and Tony Marilee and Denver divorced in 1970 In 1983 Pyle married Tippie Johnston That union lasted until his death Pyle died of lung cancer on Christmas 1997 Memorial services were held January 6 1998 at First Baptist Church in Waxahachie Texas He is buried in an unmarked grave at the Forreston Cemetery in Forreston Texas His remains are interred beside those of his second wifes parents JT Johnston and Erin Birch Johnston CLR
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