Don,

His wife Joy hasn't passed away. According to the newspaper and other news reports she was with him when he died.

He was definitely a national icon. Even people who didn't really like country music always seem to respect him. He was very down-to-earth and a genuinely nice bloke, from all that I hear of him. His daughter Anne Kirkpatrick is carrying on the family tradition and is well known as a country singer.

Very sadly missed here in Oz. Even little Johnny made a tv appearance to mourn his loss, and he has announced that there will be a State funeral Slim next week.

Helen