Jennifer Garner’s father William dead at 85: Actress announces her father passed ‘peacefully’ over Easter weekend as she pays tribute to his ‘gentle demeanor and quiet strength’
Jennifer Garner’s father has died at the age of 85, the actress announced on Monday in a heartbreaking statement.
The actress, 51, posted a photo of the pair and wrote: “My father passed away peacefully on Saturday afternoon. We were with him and sang Amazing Grace when he left us (did we carry him across or chase him away – fair question.)
“While there is no tragedy in the death of an 85-year-old man who lived a healthy, wonderful life, I know that grief is inevitable and waits in unexpected places.
‘Today is for gratitude. We are grateful for Dad’s kind attitude and quiet strength. For the way he teased with a mischievous smile, and for the way he invented the role of the ever-patient girl dad. We are grateful for his work ethic, leadership and faith.
We extend our gratitude to the medical communities of Charleston Area Medical Center and City of Hope. Your care extended Dad’s life and gave him time to be in his favorite places – surrounded by daughters and grandchildren, cheering for his beloved Aggies, captaining a boat, and – most of all – next to his wife of 59 years, our mother .
Jennifer Garner’s father has died at the age of 85, the actress announced on Monday in a heartbreaking statement
The actress, 51, posted a photo of the pair and wrote: “My father passed away peacefully on Saturday afternoon. We were with him and sang Amazing Grace when he left us (did we carry him across or did we chase him away – valid question’
‘There is so much to say about my father – my sisters and I will never finish talking about how wonderful he was, so bear with me – but for today I share these memories with my appreciation for the kind and brilliant man, father, and grandfather that he was, as well as the loving legacy he left behind.
In September, Jennifer surprised her father, William John Garner, with a joy ride in his childhood car when she went home to West Virginia for the weekend.
The Elektra actress shared a photo of herself posing with her happy father next to a 1948 Studebaker Champion, captioning the photo carousel post for her 14.6 million Instagram followers with “36 hours at home.”
Adding a detail to the heartwarming photo with her dad, she wrote, “Dad’s early birthday surprise: a ride in his childhood car – 1948 Studebaker Champion – with the kind and generous David King.” He turned 85 years old on September 21.
It is unknown whether she bought the car for him or if he already had it.
The 51-year-old Alias star stood arm in arm with her father and looked radiant as she went makeup-free for the photo.
She kept it casual and let her auburn locks hang loose around her shoulders while wearing a simple gray T-shirt and dark jeans.
Like mother, like daughter: The Daredevil star also shared a sweet photo of herself holding hands with her mother, Patricia Ann Garner
The trip home was event-packed for Ben Affleck’s ex-wife, who also hosted a Once Upon A Farm multipack giveaway at the Kroger supermarket in her hometown.
Jennifer co-founded the company in 2017 – specializing in organic baby food, smoothies and applesauce for children.
In addition to sharing cute photos of her hosting the giveaway, and the photos with her mom and dad, the Yes Day star also shared a rare photo with her little look-alike sister, Susannah Garner.
The brunette beauty added the following description for the photo with Susannah, lovingly writing: “I can’t imagine life without my little sister Susannah.”
She also gave a shout out to her older sister, Melissa Garner Wylie, saying, “We missed you, Melissa!”
The ageless actress didn’t stop there with loving shout-outs to her family, but also added a photo of herself hugging her nephew during his soccer game, writing, “I love my nephew,” substituting the word “love” by a red heart emoji.
Her “beloved ballet teacher, mentor and second mother, Nina Lu Pasinetti,” also showed up at her Kroger event, so the Catch Me If You Can star posted a photo with her former teacher to the family-filled photo carousel.
In addition to the selfies with family and friends, the Pearl Harbor starlet added a funny video of herself trying to cook, joking in the description: “Jen’s cooking = smoke detector.”
Several celebrities commented on the Dallas Buyers Club photo carousel, including Octavia Spencer, who wrote, “War Eagle to your sister.” She has great taste in t-shirts!’ referring to the rallying cry for Auburn University.
Sisters for life: Jennifer’s little sister Susannah wore an Auburn University T-shirt, prompting a complimentary comment from Octavia Spencer
Target: The Love, Simon star included several photos in the photo carousel of her attending her cousin’s soccer match with her sister Susannah by her side
Beauty in Blue: The Once Upon A Farm co-founder hosted a giveaway featuring her brand’s products at her hometown Kroger supermarket
Sweet as sugar: The Texas-born beauty also posted additional photos to her Instagram Stories that she couldn’t fit into her photo carousel, including a photo of herself standing in front of Ellen’s Ice Creams
Businesswoman: The A-list star was happy to host a Once Upon A Farm giveaway at her hometown of Kroger
Showing support: The Juno actress looked positively tiny in a photo with her little nephew at his soccer match
En pointe: The Camping starlet made sure to give a shoutout to her ‘beloved’ ballet teacher Nina Lu Pasinetti
The down-to-earth star was only in West Virginia for 36 hours, but she made sure she made the most of it by attending her cousin’s football game and sharing selfies on her Instagram Stories in front of several other local businesses.
In the snap, she happily posed in front of Ellen’s Homemade Ice Cream in Charleston, wearing the same outfit she wore when she surprised her dad with his early birthday gift.
She also joked: ‘What am I, suddenly a football expert?’ under a video in the photo carousel in which she and her sister Susannah watched her nephew play a football match.
Rounding out her photo round-up from her busy trip was a photo of the West Virginia capitol building and a beautiful shot of the talented actress and entrepreneur looking out at a pink sunset.