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Walker Edmiston Obituary
Edmiston died of complications from cancer at his home in Woodland Hills Feb. 15, said his daughter, Erin Edmiston. He worked up until becoming ill in January, she said.
Edmiston was born Feb. 6, 1926, in St. Louis, Mo., and moved to Los Angeles in 1947.
In the 1950s and early 1960s, Edmiston had a children's show on local television, "The Walker Edmiston Show," which featured his own puppets, including Kingsley the Lion and Ravenswood the Buzzard.
In the 1960s and 1970s, he voiced many characters on shows created by Sid and Marty Krofft, including Dr. Blinkey and Orson the Vulture on "H.R. Pufnstuf" and Sparky the Firefly on "Bugaloos."
Edmiston also had acting roles in episodes of such TV series as "Gunsmoke," "Mission: Impossible" and "The Dukes of Hazzard," and performed for nearly 20 years on "Adventures in Odyssey," a radio series produced by the nonprofit group Focus on the Family.
Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press
49 Entries
Pam Schultz (nee Lawson)
April 14, 2025
In 1978 I met Walker and his wife Evelyn. I would start writing their daughter Andria soon after I’m finally meeting her in 1980. Walker was a very nice, kind man and I know that my second cousin Billy really missed him after his death. My heart goes out to Erin, relatives, and friends of this wonderful person.
HE will call and Walker will answer.
Joe milovac
October 19, 2024
Sorry condolences for your father Ernie. Joe if you remember me
Sandra Edmiston
March 8, 2024
If some how he was related father in law James edmiston ridge farm ill
Summer Garza
January 28, 2021
You and Hal Smith are my favorite I will always miss y’all you both had a very large roll in my life since the 90s I listened to the Adventures in odyssey all my 25 years of life. I love y’all. Bye Tom. Say hi to whit for me.
How you can show support
September 2, 2019
He will be miss by all...God is a God of all Comfort...My condolences..
Joshua Lee
August 22, 2018
Been listening to classic Adventures in Odyssey episodes recently. You and Hal Smith have had an amazing impact on my life, and I'm sure you'll continue impacting my children and their children. I hope to shake your hand in heaven someday, Mr. Riley. You are missed and loved. Sincerest condolences to your family, even 10 years on.
May 5, 2015
Rip
Harry Simpson
February 15, 2015
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
M Lambert
January 18, 2014
I Googled Mr. Edmiston and saw that he had passed away. I truly enjoyed all of his work through the years. I am watching one of my favorite shows (that I watched as a child) on this cold Saturday morning, H R Pufnstuff on METV. Thank you. Earths loss is Heavens gain.
HAMILTON DIXON
December 29, 2013
Walker bought my red 1956 MORGAN 4place roadster in April 1964. I featured this car on TV show.
We left for France in the Air Force and lost track of him. We moved to Georgia when we got out of the service.
Do you have any idea what happened to this car? Might you have a serial number for this car?
The car was really beautiful, bright red, and a show winner.
HAMILTON S DIXON, MD
[email protected]
706-766-3343
Gina Williams
May 25, 2012
Thanks Walker for being part of my chilhood. We loved you. Miss you.
God bless.
Joanna Mason
November 30, 2011
I'm sad that Walker passed away
I loved to listen to him as Tom Riley on Adventures in Odyssey
He will be well missed
Joanna Mason
Joyce Lest
February 27, 2011
I cannot for the life of me fully understand what I am about to share with you tonight about this precious man Walker Edmiston,except, that I met him as a child, he lived near me, in North Hollywood California(briefly). For some reason tonight I remembered him after all these years I am 59. I googled him, and found he passed away in Feb 2007 :( I am not sure if ever he would remember me ,but I did him, so well. I came from an abused background, as a child growing up, and he was a fond memory for me because he was genuinely nice to me. I will never forget him, and sorry I never got to tell him what an impact he had on my life before he left this world. He was a kind and gentle man, and I will never forget his kindness to me in brief. I remember him back in 1959 I believe it was or close to that time. I would love for his family to know, although I was abused horribly in my childhood,from a family member, his kindness to me impacted my life in a huge way. A person who is unloved or unlovable, really feels blessed to have a stranger in friendship,if even it was only for one precious moment in time. Walker was a wonderful man, and I am just sorry I was not able to let him know how much his brief kindness and encounter meant to me.Tonight I remembered him, in a very special manner, am rather puzzled myself as to just why I thought of him now. God Bless Him and the family.Love Momma Joyce aka Sistercharity
April 3, 2010
For Walker...n actor who was the voice of many cartoon and puppet characters, including Ernie the Keebler elf in TV commercials.
WEEP NOT FOR ME
Do not weep for me when I no longer dwell among the wonders of the earth; for my larger self is free, and my soul rejoices on the other side of pain...on the other side of darkness.
Do not weep for me, for I am a ray of sunshine that touches your skin, a tropical breeze upon your face, the hush of joy within your heart and the innocence of babes in mothers arms.
I am the hope in a darkened night. And, in your hour of need, I will be there to comfort you. I will share your tears, your joys, your fears, your disappointments and your triumphs.
Do not weep for me, for I am cradled
in the arms of God. I walk with the angels, and hear the music beyond the stars.
Do not weep for me, for I am within you;
I am peace, love, I am a soft wind that caresses the flowers. I am the calm that follows a raging storm. I am an autumns leaf that floats among the garden of God, and I am pure white snow that softly falls upon your hand.
Do not weep for me, for I shall never die, as long as you remember me...
with a smile and a sigh.
© Joe Fazio
~
[email protected] /Joe Fazio,
Beverly Hills, California
Neil Larson
October 4, 2009
As a child in L.A. in the 50's & 60's - I grew up watching & listening to Mr Walker- He entertained us on TV with voices that gave life to Kingsley the Lion and Ravenswood the Buzzard- and also his own voice registered deeply into my soul because I recognized him in bits & small parts in movies - Walker was a scary seaweed creature iin a "B" movie - but I knew that Voice! When in 1988 I took a job on radio - we presented Adventures in Odyssey - Walker had several fine performances through the years with that program- So I can say I have "known" Walker , just about my whole life- he is forever to enjoy a special Command Performance with The King of King's - I shall one day enjoy the sound of his voice and company when I arrive to stand alnog with him...
Larry Edmiston
September 13, 2009
I am sad to know that Walker is no longer with us. It was always fun to watch him on television with my children and remind them that he shared a last name with them. It made them and me feel special. My condolences to his family and all those who knew him personally. I know he will be missed.
Richard Clayton
September 12, 2009
I met Walker at a AFTRA picnic in 1966, shortly after I started my own kid show on channel 13 with my puppets, Mickey and Michelle Mud Turtle. Walker was a puppeteer with the Sheriff John Show at the time. We concocted a fun idea that ran for about three weeks. Two of my puppet characters buried a treasure chest. Ravenswood the Buzzard found it and was talking about the chest on ch. 11 that Monday noon. Then at 3pm on ch 13, Boris Bear told Mickey that someone had stolen the chest. On Wednesday, the Buzzard was told the chest was missing and that afternoon, Boris said he found it. None of the other people at the two stations knew we were doing this, but the children were sending letters to both of our lead characters at 11 and 13 telling who had the chest. Walker decided we ought to stop because Sheriff John would have been upset if he found out what we were doing. Walker was the life of any party he was attending...he had a keen wit and was super friendly with everyone. I miss you, Walker.
Rick Rucker
July 12, 2009
I met Walker in 1965, in an English pub in Costa Mesa, Ca. I worked there, and the owners knew Walker. He was the President of "The Bentley Owner's Club," I was told. I had watched his TV show, and thoroughly enjoyed meeting him. I have a good ear for voices, and always pointed out to my wife when I heard Walker's voice, which I did often. I'm now a pen and ink artist, and I go to meet other car "nuts" in Burbank often. One day, while entering Autobooks in Burbank, I heard a familiar voice, and walked up to an elderly man and asked if he was Walker Edmiston, to which he said "Yes." We talked several more times, and he gave me a card, and said to call him some day, and we'd go to lunch, or dinner, which I never did(stupid.) He posed for some photos, and I drew a portrait of him that he never saw, so I get to "see" Walker whenever I want to. I miss his humor, and friendship.
Stan Prentice
April 21, 2009
Watching Walker Edmiston on his childrens' TV show is one of my cherished memories. Over the years I could usually recognize his voice, whether in a movie, cartoon, TV commercial or even in a record parody he did of the show 'Gunsmoke,' back in the '50's.
Don Post Jr.
December 17, 2008
Walker was a talented artist. He created and sculpted his own puppette. My dad Don Post Sr. made molds and provided latex castings for Walker in his Hollywood studio. Is a young boy I was privilaged to sit with Walker while he painted his masterpieces. I'm not sure Walker appreciated my galking. I was a fan and would watch his cartoon (and also movie) hosting with great admiration. I remember Walker frequenting the Don Post Studios into the mid 1970's. Mr. Edmiston is a fondly cherished memmory. I'm still a fan.
Deneen Roberts
November 30, 2008
How thankful I am for the ministry that Mr. Edmiston had using Adventures in Odyssey as his vehicle. The wisdom that his character has given over the years has ministered to me and my children and will not be forgotten. May the Lord bless you Erin and comfort you as you reminisce on family times with your dad. (Psalm 116:15)
Marc Turner
April 21, 2008
Goodbye Enik
Marta Beaker
April 1, 2008
We will truely miss you on Adventures in Odyssey episodes. Your voice is already greatly missed!
keith ricks
October 15, 2007
It was great meeting Walker.
Renee Arbo
July 23, 2007
I listened Adventures in Odyssey since it started. Walker Edmiston was one of the great voices on that program. You will be missed!
~Marissa lynn
July 14, 2007
I love the adventures in oddysey work you do!
Dennis Murphy
July 2, 2007
I met Walker in Phoenix when I was 13. He was appearing at the local zoo. He very generously showed me and my brother (i.e., the entire audience virtually all the characters in his suitcase. Now at 57 I am a professional puppeteer in Australia thanks to Walker's inspiration; both his talent and his generosity. Lovely man.
Stephanie Klassen
June 18, 2007
I was deeply saddened by the news that Mr. Edmiston had passed away. As an avid fan of Adventures in Odessy, it just won't be the same without 'Tom Riley'....what a great and diverse actor.
Lin
June 9, 2007
I'll Miss Tom Riley in Odyssey.
Blessings and Peace to Mr. Edmiston's family.
Prater
March 12, 2007
Walker Edmiston is my dad's great uncle. i wish i could have met him
Rick Dorn
March 7, 2007
Walker was a blessing to my entire family. Our deepest condolences to his daughter, and his friends and family. He will be missed.
Mary Edmiston Grekila
March 6, 2007
My family was always delighted to see Walker Edmiston's name in the "credits". We did not know him but we shared the same surname and would have been pleased to call him "cousin".
My condolences to his family.
March 2, 2007
Walker,
We only knew you for a short time but we feel we’ve known you all our lives. You made us laugh and smile. As a child I unknowingly have been entertained by you, and now I enjoy your work even more knowing it’s you.
I remember our lunch together – you and Scott exchanging voices – wonderful memories, priceless memories.
At night I still listen to your narration of “Blackie” – you have touched our hearts and we will never forget you or the wonderful work you have done.
We love you Walker
Charmaine & Katie
bobby bell
March 1, 2007
ALOHA,REST IN PEICE MY FREND ,Ypu where a milded man& great strengh,just like my unclebill phipps MAHALO bobby [email protected]
Walter Teague
March 1, 2007
R. Craig Ravenswood has lost a good friend.
Teresa Fobes-Fullenkamp-Johnston
March 1, 2007
Walker Edminston, you will be remembered as a gentle hero. Always there, but seldom seen. May you lay in rest free from pain and wrapped in the arms of our loving God. Peace be with your family.
C. Lane
February 28, 2007
Sending you comforting thoughts and hearfelt sympathy.
Robert Zeleznik
February 28, 2007
a great person.~BZ
jim parkinson
February 28, 2007
May God speed Walker and may you rest in peace, many fond memories of our fun on the race tracks, condolences to the family
Elliott Mednick
February 28, 2007
To the Family of Walker Edmiston,
So Very Sorry for Your Loss. I Remember the Voices in H.R. Pufnstuf, and The Keebler Elf. I was too young for his T.V. Show. Hollywood has Lost Another Great One. God Bless,
Elliott Mednick
D.L. ZIMMERMAN
February 28, 2007
REAT IN PEACE WALKER
Scott Richards
February 28, 2007
Walke was my Great Uncle Bill's son. Uncle Bill was an amazing man and so was Walker. Be in Peace Walker I was to small to remember you when you came to visit. But Grandma Decker always told me about you!
Brian blackburn
February 28, 2007
Seems to be a man who was on a mission for the Hearts and the Soals of Children. His love Had to have been great because large sums money is not mad where he worked.
R Davis
February 28, 2007
To the Edmiston Family
My deep condolence for your loss.
When losing some one you love is not easy. Hold on to the memories and cherish them. Jesus Christ gave us an assured hope.--- the resurrection .May Jehovah God comfort you and your family.
Greg Peters
February 27, 2007
H.R. Pufnstuf was one of my favorite shows as a child. Thanks for all of the memories.
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