When Gomer Pyle Married Rock Hudson: The Secret Life of Jim Nabors

My grandfather was a Presbyterian minister and a huge Jim Nabors fan. When he retired as a minister, my grandparents bought a home about a mile and a half from Jim’s property on Oahu. Over the years they became friends. They met and befriended Don Ho through Jim too. My grandparents were snowbirds so they were only in Hawaii in the winter making them treasure their time with their friends even more. My grandpa built schools, medical clinics and churches in central and South America and Africa as a secondary and their new friends were generous donors, without ever being asked. My grandpa knew they were gay and didn’t care, which was shocking given their church’s teachings on homosexuality. Thankfully my grandpa knew how to think for himself. He and grandma simply saw their friends as the kind, talented and generous people they were.

Jim Nabor’s home in honolulu was near where I surfed and there were many occasions when he’d be out on his daily walk around the neighborhood and he would never hesitate to stop and say hi and chat for a few minutes. He was such a nice person, just so genuine. Great job on this video.

I met Jim right after he had surgery. this would have been 1992 or 93. I was 18 and taking a friend of mine to see his dad and on the way he asked if I wanted to meet Gomer Pyle, How he knew Jim he never told me, But we knocked on the door and out walks Jim. He had a huge bandage on his chest but we still sat on the porch and talked for about two hours. He literally made cookies while this was going on and made me take a plate when we left. Its really a beautiful memory.

I don’t think there would be a Gomer Pyle without Jim. There was a unique time, show, and actor that came together all at the right moment

“When you are waiting for a transplant, you can’t pray for one, because someone has to die.” I love that man. I’m already a friend of the family, but I have renewed respect him.

You could always tell Carol and Jim had a special connection. They both seemed genuine and unaffected by their fame. Knowing that she reached out to help her friend in his time of need proves that.

I cannot add anything else but a heartfelt thank you for this tribute. RIP Jim.

I was stationed in Hawaii while serving in the marine band and had the honor of meeting him and performing with him. Was an incredibly sweet man with a wonderful singing voice. I’ll never forget how great a performer he was.

I did meet him by chance in Hawaii in the ‘80’s at a gas station. I had a rental car with a couple of Marine friends. We had gone on a 3 day liberty pass. He Was a really nice man and gave us autographs all 3 of us young Marines where fellow Southerns. I do remember asking a lot about our hometowns etc. What a great truly nice man who took the time to talk to us young Marines.

It really makes me respect Andy Griffith even more to hear this. I had watched him honor old black blues singers and help Don Knotts recover from alcoholism, but supporting the work & life of a gay man (especially in the south) at the time of the Andy Griffith Show was very kind-hearted & courageous!

Thanks to Andy Griffith for give Jim a chance! He will live forever, and be loved as Gomer

I met Jim when I was 11 at the LAX in 1975. I already luved the guy from TV and when I saw him coming up the escalator I was overjoyed, walked right up to him, offered my hand and he looked at me as if I was a long lost friend and we shook hands. He was am awesome man. You could just feel his niceness emanating from him. Thanks for this!! ❤️

I had the joy of having Mr Nabors on several of my flights to HNL. This was a nine hour flight where I got to spend time with this gentleman. He was the most kind, gentle soul, graceful, respectful individual I ever met. We truly lost a wonderful human being.

"The only thing worse then being talked about,is not being talked about." OSCAR WILDE

Mr. Nabors had an extraordinary life. He's one of the celebrities who is always described as kind and relatable. I suspect the dire circumstances of his early life and his earlier failures to break into the industry gave him a strong appreciation for the life he was so lucky to have. Rest In Peace.

Thank you for this post. Nabors was a solid performer, a stand-up citizen, and a national treasure. May God rest his soul.

As a Marine in the 70's, I remember watching Gomer Pyle, USMC, everyday on the barracks tv. I even remember the build up to his first USMC show prior to being in the Corps. Every Marine watched Pyle and Sgt. Carter in those days. Even today when old reruns come on Marines still watch him. I guess when you have Chesty Puller type Marines enjoying Gomer Pyle you have created a humanness in the toughest fighting force in the world. We were young killing machines back then where little could make us even smile, Gomer made us laugh. Thank you for presenting this vignette about Jim Nabors. He was a kind and loving soul. I will take his memories to the grave !

Excellent and heartwarming, Matt. I live in Hawaii and Jim was loved by the community. Fun fact: he had a macadamia nut farm for many years that he jokingly called “Gomer’s Nuts”.

I was born in the mid sixties and as a small child remember the adults discussing Jim's sexuality. That never stopped my entire family from watching Jim's TV shows, etc. Actually, it seems everyone new someone or had in the closet family members way back then. Anyway, Jim was a big influence in comedy, his sex life was just a part of who he was.

People were attracted to Jim mostly for being a genuine, honest human being. Someone anyone would want to have as a friend. The talent and his uniqueness is what got him through the door into show business. You can't help but feel good about someone like him to be successful in a career he loved and thought he never had a chance to survive in....