Ralph Waite, known fondly by generations as the kindly pops in The Waltons has passed away.

Although he was the good age of 85, his death has come as a shock to family and friends since he was still very much a working actor. Most recently he could be seen in hit US crime show NCIS as Gibbs' Dad and he also made appearances in Bones as Booth's (David Boreanaz) grandad, Grey’s Anatomy, CSI, Cold Case and Days of Our Lives.

But to those of us who grew up watching The Walton's on weekend mornings, he'll always be Daddy Walton and he'll be sadly missed.