Remembering Ben Jones - The Legendary 'Cooter Davenport' of 'The Dukes of Hazzard'

Bid a heartfelt farewell to Ben Jones, the beloved actor and politician who captivated our hearts as Cooter Davenport in 'The Dukes of Hazzard'. The news of his passing at 84 years old, due to a tragic heart attack, was shared by his loving wife, Alma Viator, on Facebook. In her poignant post on Sunday afternoon, accompanied by a cherished image of Jones and his beloved dog, she wrote, "Today I lost the love of my life. Ben's last moments were spent in the comfort of home, eagerly waiting for the Braves to claim victory over the Yankees. Ben lived an extraordinary life filled with love and admiration. He will be deeply missed. I cherished him beyond words." On 'The Dukes of Hazzard', Jones played the endearing role of Cooter Davenport, the beloved mechanic of Hazzard County who was an honorary member of the Duke clan. Over the course of 142 episodes, he shared screen time with Tom Wopat, John Schneider, Catherine Bach, Denver Pyle, Sorrell Brooke, and Waylon Jennings. In a touching tribute on social media, 'Dukes' star Tom Wopat paid homage to Jones, writing, "We lost another cherished member of the 'Dukes of Hazzard' family today. Ben Jones was not only a talented actor but also a passionate advocate for all that's good in the entertainment industry. He will be dearly missed... Denver Pyle often reminded Ben, 'I'm not your Uncle Jesse!', but today we lost a Duke cousin." Following his success on television, Jones took a leap into politics and won Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District by an impressive 20 points in 1988. He was reelected in 1990, however, redistricting in 1992 led to his loss during the next election against Newt Gingrich. Jones' legacy will forever be etched in our hearts as Cooter Davenport, a character that brought laughter and warmth into countless living rooms. His spirit will continue to live on through the memories we cherish and the love he shared with so many. Rest in peace, Ben Jones.