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Vet/pilot Kris Kristofferson , 88, dead

by David••42

<p>Mary Ellen Mark</p> Kris Kristofferson

 

Kris Kristofferson, who seems to have had as many successful careers as many of us have had cars, died at his Hawaii home Saturday at age 88.

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28 at home. We’re all so blessed for our time with him. Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all,” his family said in a statement shared with PEOPLE.

Did someone say rainbow?  Here Comes That Rainbow Again
After graduating with his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from Pomona, Kristofferson earned a Rhodes Scholarship and his master’s in English literature at Oxford University’s Merton College in 1960.
He joined the U.S. Army and, within five years, became a helicopter pilot and reached the rank of captain. While serving in West Germany in the early ’60s, Kristofferson continued to explore songwriting and formed a band with other soldiers. Upon completion of his tour of duty in Germany, Kristofferson was offered a job teaching English at West Point military academy. He soon made his way to Nashville, Tenn., while on leave, which reinvigorated his passion for music and led to him resigning from the Army in 1965.   People
A bit missing from that characterization….Golden Glove boxer, Rhodes Scholar – little stuff. And the important bits to us: you know, completing chopper school and Ranger training?
He became a helicopter pilot after receiving flight training at Fort Rucker, Alabama. He also completed Ranger School. During the early 1960s, he was stationed in West Germany as a member of the 8th Infantry Division. In 1965, after his tour in Germany ended, Kristofferson was given an assignment to teach English literature at West Point. Instead, he decided to leave the Army and pursue songwriting. His family disowned him because of his career decision; sources are unclear on whether they reconciled. They saw it as a rejection of everything they stood for, although Kristofferson says he is proud of his time in the military and received the Veteran of the Year Award at the 2003 American Veterans Awards ceremony.  Wiki
Should be noted his father was an Army officer who later became a brigadier general in the Air Force. So, Kris took to writin’ songs…and what songs:
“Me and Bobby McGee”, “For the Good Times”, “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down”, and “Help Me Make It Through the Night”
All great songs that helped make stars of other artists….it’s worth noting, all of these came from ONE Kristofferson album. Other great songs followed: “Border Lord”, “Silver-Tongued Devil”, “Jesse Younger”, “The Pilgrim”…the list goes on and on. Lesser known albums, too, like “Spooky Lady’s Sideshow” and “Easter Island” (one of his absolute best). I know sometimes he was accused of not being a great singer – for my money, though, a number of his songs can ONLY be sung by him.
Wasn’t enough for Kris. He also took up acting, starring in Peckinpah’s masterpiece “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid”, “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Any More” “A Star is Born”, the Blade Movies, “Payback” (my favorite Mel Gibson movie, btw) “Semi-Tough”, and over 110 others per IMDB.   A side gig, huh….was even nominated for an Oscar – I guess to balance his other awards.
Kristofferson wrote music that spoke to the soul. Lot of folks like that ( Army vet John Prine was another) are shuffling off this mortal coil.  Willie is now the last of the Highwaymen and the world is poorer now.
I’ll leave you with a song to remember him at his best:   Saber and the Rose
When asked what he believed to be the secret of life, Kristofferson told Men’s Journal in 2017, “I had a list of rules I made up one time. It says: Tell the truth, sing with passion, work with laughter, and love with heart. Those are good to start with anyway.”
Amen, sir.

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42 thoughts on “Vet/pilot Kris Kristofferson , 88, dead”

        1. Oops, well, he did spend Sunday morning coming down. Probably even more fitting that he woke up Sunday morning in a better place.

  7. A warrior poet in the finest traditions of the word. The very definition of toxic masculinity. He will be badly missed in a world that seems it will soon have no men left in it.

    In no particular order my favorite films he appeared in include; Flashpoint, Lone Star, Blade Series, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.

      1. ’bout damn time you showed yo’ happy azz back up, Pappy! DaHell you been? Seekrit squirrel mission? Welcome Home. Too bad that it took bad news to get you back.

        1. Long story, son. When I woke up Sunday morning with no way to hold my head that didn’t hurt. And the beer I had for breakfast so I had more for dessert.

        2. Stood watch on The Wall. Hell, Junior, Tell me a story. Tell me a story about CPT Lance Sijan. Tell me a story about Lance Corporal Emilio De La Garza. Tell me a story about George Klieber, an Indiana Ranger.

  11. If one ever had a chance to meet Kris in person, one would discover that he was just a down to earth helluva nice guy…with all kinds of skills. And he not only had a good time doing what he loved, he made sure that we had a good time.

    Rest in Peace, Good Sir.

  14. Sad news. I was always a fan, of his music and acting.

    I can’t remember the name of the movie but he made one where he was a border patrol officer. In the 80’s I remember it being a good movie

  15. I’m not questioning his service in the slightest, but can someone tell me why, as a pilot, he wore infantry branch insignia? I understand that things change or evolve over the years with the Army, just wasn’t sure if he had left flight status and was an infantry officer for a time.

      1. Exactly. Chopper pilots wore their original branch He was an Infanrtyman and a Ranger. Green Thumb….thoughts?

    2. Well, that’s two.. who’s gonna be #3? As for Rose, he was a hell of a player in his day, and all the stuff about him gambling sank his chances for hall of fame, but wouldn’t even make the news today.. times they do change..

      1. Who’s next? Not wishing any ill will, but Joe Namath is 81, Mark Spitz is 74, Dick Van Dyke turns 99 in December, Carol Burnett is 91, and Jerry Mathers is 76.

        1. Jimmy Carter turned 100 yesterday. While he was a terrible president he is a very nice man.

          1. Former WAPO reporter Ronald Kessler called Carter a phony. He’s written on every president from JFK to Clinton. Carter was allegedly very contemptuous of the secret service, the military, and the White House staff. Any kind of small talk or greetings such as ‘Good morning, Mr. President’ was reportedly highly discouraged.

    3. I remember him breaking Ty Cob’s hits record against the Cubs. And, I’m gonna say this, he wasn’t a saint, but dammit, Charlie Hustle belongs in Cooperstown.

  18. When I woke up Sunday morning
    With no way to hold my head that didn’t hurt
    And the beer I had for breakfast wasn’t bad
    So I had one more for dessert

    And I fumbled in the closet
    Through my clothes and found
    My cleanest dirty shirt

    And I shaved my face and
    Combed my hair and
    Stumbled down the stairs
    To meet the day

    I’d smoked my brain
    The night before…..

    Aaah fuck it….

    Here it is:

    https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=TXSl-cuv_iE&si=UTZyfBrFolLFQz8-

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