Texas: Southfork to hold public memorial service for Larry Hagman

Actor Larry Hagman, who died Nov. 23, will be remembered in a public memorial service on Sunday at the iconic Southfork Ranch that was home to J.R. and the rest of the Ewing family.

Forever Resorts, which operates the Parker, Texas, ranch as a tourist attraction, says fans of “Dallas” will be given free tours from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. The service will be held afterward. Guests can pay their respects, leave cards and flowers and sign a memorial book.

The 340-acre ranch and its white mansion, familiar to television viewers around the world, featured prominently in the CBS drama broadcast from 1978 to 1991. Hagman reprised the role of J.R. in the new “Dallas” series that debuted in June. The ranch would periodically close to the public when Hagman and fellow cast members were filming there.

“Larry infused much life and excitement into the show ‘Dallas’ and his dynamic personality and great sense of humor will never be forgotten,” Jimmy Gomes, Forever Resorts vice president, said in a news release. “To everyone here at Southfork Ranch, the recent filming of the new ‘Dallas’ series has felt like family coming home again. He will be greatly missed.”

Inside the ranch’s museum, visitors can see J.R.’s cowboy hats and boots from the original series, along with the gun that actress Mary Crosby used to shoot the oil baron in one of the series’ most famous episodes.

The balcony from which Crosby’s character, Kristin, fell after shooting J.R. is a popular stop for photos during guided tours of the mansion.

More than 400,000 visitors a year visit Southfork, about 20 miles northeast of Dallas.

For more information, check Southfork’s website or call (800) 989-7800.

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