Submitted file photo

George Lindsey poses with the late Charles Dowell at Snappy Lunch when he visited Mount Airy in September of 1999.

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For those who loved George Lindsey, who played Goober Pyle on “The Andy Griffith Show,” there will be a tribute to his life and career on Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Earle Theatre.

The tribute will be led by Professor Neal Brower. His son, George Lindsey Jr., also will be a part of the tribute.

Brower said Lindsey will live on through his performances on “The Andy Griffith Show” and others.

“Their (Lindsey’s and Andy Griffith’s) performances will always be there. I’m sad that they are gone, but they will always be with us through reruns and DVDs. You can watch them any time you want,” said Brower.

Lindsey, who later was a regular on the long-running country music comedy show “Hee Haw,” died on May 6 at a health care center in Nashville, Tenn.

Brower said he met George Lindsey on a few occasions.

“I talked to him a number of times. We were at two cast reunions in 1990 and in 1995,” said Brower.

George Lindsey Jr. will be at the tribute Saturday to answer some questions about his life and his father. One of his favorite episodes, “A Man’s Best Friend,” will be shown in its entirety, then the question-and-answer portion of the tribute will begin.

Brower said he was a bit surprised when Lindsey died, because he didn’t realize he and Griffith, 86, were so close in age. Lindsey was 83.

Lindsey’s career was much broader than his appearances on “The Andy Griffith Show.” He also appeared in “M.A.S.H.,” “Gunsmoke,” “Herbie the Love Bug” and “C.H.I.P.S.” He was in movies including “Take This Job and Shove It” and “Cannonball Run II,” was a judge for the Miss USA pageant for years, and lent his voice to an assortment of animated Disney characters in movies including “The Aristocats,” “The Rescuers” and “Robin Hood.” He recorded a comedy album in 1971, called “Goober Sings!,” and was a member of the “Hee Haw” cast for 20 years.

Brower started seriously studying, “The Andy Griffith Show” in 1986. Through interviews with writers, directors, producers, actors and others associated with the show, Brower offers insights into the scriptwriting, production, photography, casting and musical scoring of “The Andy Griffith Show.”

Brower is a United Methodist minister, originally from Asheboro. He authored the book “Mayberry 101,” contributes regularly to “The Button” and teaches 10-week college-level courses about “The Andy Griffith Show.”

He has given lectures during Mayberry Days for the last 15 years. Over the years, he has interviewed Bruce Bilson, Earl Hagen, Jack Ellison, Harvey Bullock, all four Darlings, Betty Lynn, Karen Knotts and Jackie Joseph.

Professor Brower’s Lecture this year will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Earle Theatre. It is called, “The Influence of Andy Griffith’s Character, Andy Taylor.”

Brower said he was sad to hear of Griffith’s passing.

“Anytime you lose someone, especially when they admire their work, it’s a sad thing. He was 86, so he lived a good life. The way we knew him was on TV. So he’s still there, doing what I love him for, the show,” said Brower.

He said Betty Lynn has agreed to participate in the lecture this year.

“I will be asking her questions about working on the show and about the influence that Andy had on the show,” said Brower.

Brower plans to show 30 minutes of clips from 10 episodes featuring Griffith’s talent.

He said he never met Griffith, but he did see him when he came to Mount Airy for the highway and statue dedications. He also saw him in Raleigh for the TV Land statue dedication there. He saw him in Nashville, Tenn., when Griffith was promoting his gospel album as well.

Next year, Brower will host a lecture on the second Saturday of each month from March until August. Admission will be free with a paid $3 admission to the Andy Griffith Museum.

The cost for the Mayberry Days lecture at 2 p.m. is $10 and that includes admission to the Andy Griffith Rerun Watchers Club annual meeting that will follow the lecture.

There is no charge for the George Lindsey tribute at 5 p.m.

For more information about the tribute or lecture, call the Surry Arts Council at 786-7998.

Reach Mondee Tilley at mtilley@heartlandpublications.com or at 719-1930.