Sharon Waite was the daughter of Ralph Waite, a renowned American actor, theatre personality, and political activist. He gained fame for his portrayal of John Walton Sr. in the TV series ‘The Waltons’ and the subsequent TV movies. Sharon was born in 1955 to Ralph and his first wife, Beverly Hall. She had two siblings, Christopher and Katherine. Sadly, Sharon died of leukemia in 1964, when she was only nine years old. Her death was a devastating blow to her family and left a lasting impact on her father.
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Ralph Waite’s Struggle with Alcoholism
Ralph Waite had a troubled childhood, as his father was an alcoholic and his mother was mentally ill. He also faced poverty and discrimination as a child. He later became a book editor and a minister for the Presbyterian Church before pursuing an acting career at the age of thirty. He married Beverly Hall in 1951 and had three children with her. However, he also developed a drinking problem and became addicted to alcohol. He once confessed that he drank at night and on the side, even while working on ‘The Waltons’. He said that he could not reconcile with his role as a responsible and caring father to his onscreen children, while he was neglecting his own family.
The Loss of Sharon Waite
Sharon Waite was diagnosed with leukemia when she was eight years old. She underwent chemotherapy and blood transfusions, but her condition did not improve. She died on June 14, 1964, at the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. Her death shattered Ralph Waite, who blamed himself for not being there for her. He said that he was too busy with his work and his drinking to spend time with her. He also felt guilty for not being able to afford the best medical care for her. He said that he wished he could have given her more love and attention.
The Recovery of Ralph Waite
Ralph Waite’s grief over Sharon’s death led him to seek help for his alcoholism. He joined Alcoholics Anonymous and became sober in 1972. He also divorced Beverly Hall in 1966 and remarried twice, first to Kerry Shear Waite in 1977 and then to Linda East in 1982. He had another daughter, Liam Waite, with Kerry Shear Waite. He also adopted three children from Linda East’s previous marriage: Thaddeus, Amanda, and Jessica. He became a devoted father to his children and a loving husband to his wives.
Ralph Waite continued to act in various movies, TV shows, and theatre productions until his death in 2014. He also became a Democrat and an equal rights activist and ran for Congress three times, unsuccessfully. He was widely respected and admired by his fans and colleagues for his talent, integrity, and generosity.
Sharon Waite’s cause of death was leukemia, a type of cancer that affects the blood cells. She died at a young age, leaving behind a heartbroken family. Her father, Ralph Waite, overcame his alcoholism and dedicated his life to his work and his family. He never forgot his daughter and always carried her memory in his heart.
