Wink Martindale

Mr. Martindale,
Simply put is I enjoyed seeing you on tv on game shows or anything on media outlets about you. You just being you was great on the shows and you are a legend in my mind and thanks for your work in the entertainment industry.
My condolences to the Martindale family for your loss.
Joe DeHoyos
Carlsbad, Texas
USA !

RIP

Wink Martindale was my hero as a child, 'til I was 11 years old. (1987) I even had a suit, that whenever I wore it, I would tell everyone, that I thought I looked like him! I will definitely miss him!

Oh how I hate reading/hearing of Wink's passing. He always came to Jerry's Restaurant to see his favorite waitress, my Mama Pat every time he was in Jackson, Tn visiting his Brother, Leo. I've saw and had many conversations with Wink although I was 15 at the time. Wink loved everyone and was a very nice man with a huge personality. Please give my Mama a hug in Heaven for me. You're both so missed.

Rest well, Wink. You are such a kind and generous of heart man. While temping at KMPC radio we met and became friends. We went to dinner. My husband, George and Wink were music enthusiasts and dinner was much about "who recorded this". So Fun. The next morning I heard a noise and opened the door to Wink leaving us tickets to a football game. Our strongest thread was Elvis. I interacted with Elvis for the 3 years prior to marrying in 72. Wink was just meeting Sandy and our subsequent conversations were about his joy of falling in love. When Elvis died, my phone rang, it was Wink. We were both devastated. Sandy, I believe, was in a movie with Elvis and she was also so very saddened. What a nice, kind, thoughtful talented man you are. I´ve tried to contact you. We have joyful memories and send your family, your Sandy our condolences and prayers. You brought such joy to so many. Tina McFarlin

Wink and Sandy were the kindest, most generous people there were. Their dedication to St Jude was legendary. When we had a dinner for my wife's birthday in California, they graciously attended and were the life of the party. We think of Wink often and were so saddened to hear of his passing. Sandy, Jackie, and I send our deepest sympathies and love.

His smile was contagious! A wonderful host and man.

Wink, You were one of my favorite TV game show hosts ever since Tic Tac Dough in 1978 when I was 9 years old. I will never forget watching some of your other games shows on TV and you sending me 2 autographed pictures in the mail of you I will always treasure them. Rest In Peace and may you do game shows with the Angels, Marc Taylor

I had the pleasure of meeting Wink on a few occasions. Two at book signings and one at the 2006 Game Show Congress. Very pleasant. I believe that Wink played a big part in the success of both "Gambit" and "Tic Tac Dough". Wink was very good at what he did. My condolences go to his family.

Dear cousin Sandy, I was so sorry to hear of your beloved Winks passing. Wink was such a gentleman and the nicest human being. I will always cherish all the memories of how you allowed me to share the many happy moments of Winks life. It was truly a blessing to have known Wink. May you find comfort in all the beautiful memories in Winks life and God's strength to endure. Cousin Terri

I absolutely loved Tic Tac Dough back in the day. It was Wink's personality that made that show what it was. Sending deepest thoughts and condolences to his family and friends.

Sending condolences to his family and friends. May God give you strength and comfort during this difficult time. He was an amazing person and game show host who will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered. Rest in peace in heaven Wink.

My deepest sympathy is with Wink´s family and friends during this time of grief and sorrow. May Almighty God ( Psalm Chapter 83 verse 18) give you the strength to cope.

We will miss you so much Wink.
Your kind heart, your smile, everything.
You brought so much joy to everyone around you.
We will treasure all the memories, the laughter, the good times, your wonderful friendship and loving support for Chenza and I.
Forever thankful for you and Sandy.

Christine Love, Josh and Chenza

Wink, simply the best !!!

To Wink martindale
You were a great game show host for tic-tac dough. Gambit. Etc. my prayers are with your family and friends. Lisa Weiner

Dear Sandy,
David & I want to express our deepest symphony to you and your family in the passing of your wonderful husband Wink. He was a wonderful person, friend, great game show host, great Master of Ceremonies at Fund Raising Galas I headed up and more. We will also Cherish the many annual Elvis Presley Birthday Celebrations 10 plus we hosted at our home with 50 plus Elvis Fans in attendance each year, sharing many stories you and Wink had of your relationship with Elvis. Wink also did those beautiful Tributes for Elvis that we enjoyed hearing many times.
There will always be a place in our hearts for Wink & you taking the time out of your busy schedules each year to be at our annual Elvis Birthday Celebrations. What Wonderful Memories for us and our Elvis Group Fans.
Lois Curran-Klein & David Klein

Wink was my dear friend for over 50 years. He was such a wonderful man, a devoted father, a giving and caring friend and a truly talented artist. His children, Lisa, Lynn, Laura and Wink Jr. were surrounded by his love and his example of a good person. Wink´s wife Sandy was his loving and always supportive partner and I know she must be devastated by his passing. Surely God will hold Wink in the palm of his hand and give him the ultimate gift of eternal peace. I will forever send my love and prayers to my remarkable friend.

Sorry to hear of the passing of your loved one. I remember him hosting game shows in which he did an excellent job. His legacy will be remembered by a host of fans. May God be with your family and give you comfort.

His Tic Tac Dough was the first show I ever knew of his (I got my first exposure to it as a boy when it was in syndication). Just about a year after I became a teenager, Game Show Network signed on for the first time, and TTD was one of the shows on their Club A.M. morning block (the earliest-season shows from 1978 and 1979). What I liked about his show was that it was the show in its purest form (9 Apple II computers, a moderately-flashy board and set, and how Martindale knew how to get the most out of all the people who played on his show [especially the great Thom McKee, to the tune of $312,700 in 1980]); I didn't see it firsthand (being born in 1981), but I have enjoyed it secondhand from both GSN and YouTube.

All this said, this is why Martindale, even in his passing, will remain one of the greats of the genre, and why his Tic Tac Dough will still stand tall in the genre above all other versions of that X and O trivia game.

He was a great game show host. I watch his show Gambit when I was a kid. I got his autograph picture from 1976 when I was 12 or 13. My thoughts and prayers goes out to the Martindale family. Thanks Wink for being great game show host and a great fan you turned out to be. Tony Spencer Cleveland, Ohio.

Dear friend

Rest In Heaven

Wink was one of the greatest hosts I've known. I watched Tic Tac Dough Headline Chasers High Rollers The Last Word The Great Getaway Game Gambit Top Secret Banko Trivial Pursuit the board game I got for Christmas and Debt.He was the Most Outrageous Game Show Moments with Bob Eubanks Jim Lange Peter Marshall and Ben Stein. He was on the Mountain Dew commercial and he screamed at the end. He did a narrative "To A Sleeping Beauty" and he wore glasses back then in the Nestea commercial. He wore a tuxedo for Debt. I send my thoughts and prayers to his family.

Martindale began hosting television game shows in the mid-1960s, and came to wider recognition on shows like "Gambit," which he hosted from 1972 to 1976, and "Tic-Tac-Dough," which he helmed from 1978 to 1985, along with stints on such shows as "High Rollers" and "Trivial Pursuit." He was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007.