Born July 10th, 1923 Earl Hamner Jr. was the first child of Earl Sr. and Doris Hamner. Six years older than the next sibling, Earl was certainly looked up to by the younger children.

Earl graduated in 1940 and then entered WWII as a war correspondent ...

...before finally attending the University of Richmond.

(clockwise from upper right)
Earl Hamner Jr. (John-Boy)
Paul, James, Bill, Cliff (Jason)

Marian Hamner, the oldest daughter.

Earl Hamner's Grandparents, The Giannini's.

A man's man, Earl Hamner Sr., was a very earthy character. On Sundays after Doris had carted the children to church he could be found making his way down the same path towards the river for some fishing. He liked to curse, hunt and drink. He eventually dropped some of his more colorful activities in favor of his wife's approval. He even became baptized and began to attend church.

Doris Hamner continued to live in the family home after her husband Earl Sr. passed away. Fans of the show flocked to her little home in Vigirnia and she welcomed them with a pot of tea. When her tea supply ran short, her son Earl helped her with the tea budget.

Right: Earl with his mother and siblings in 1980 for the filming of "A Decade of the Waltons"

Top row: Cliff,
2nd row: Bill, Paul, James, Marian, Nancy,
3rd row: Doris, Audrey,
Bottom row: Earl

The Hamner's - 1980