Jennifer Garner Pens Touching Tribute Following the Passing of Her ‘All In, Ever Patient Girl Dad'
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Jennifer Garner and her family suffered a major loss this weekend. The actress posted an emotional and intimate tribute on Instagram today, announcing that her father William passed peacefully on Saturday.
“We were with him, singing Amazing Grace as he left us (did we carry him across or scare him away— valid question),” she said. “While there is no tragedy in the death of an 85 year old man who lived a healthy, wonderful life, I know grief is unavoidable, waiting around unexpected corners.”
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And while there will be many days filled with sadness, today, the actress said, is for gratitude.
“We are grateful for Dad’s gentle demeanor and quiet strength,” she continued her post. “For how he teased with a mischievous smile, and for the way he invented the role of all in, ever patient girl dad. We are grateful for his work ethic, leadership and faith.”
Garner — who shares kids Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12 with ex-husband Ben Affleck — said she was grateful for the medical professionals who extended her Dad’s life and gave him time to be in his favorite spots: “Surrounded by daughters and grandchildren, cheering for his beloved [Texas A&M] Aggies, captaining a boat, and — most of all — next to his wife of 59 years, our Mom.”
The carousel of throwback photos starts with a shot that looks like it could be from the ’90s. William is sitting on the ground with a plate of watermelon on his lap, and Garner is crouching behind him, her head resting lovingly on his shoulder. In the next, Garner is a little girl, going down a water slide with her dad. There’s also a funny clip of Garner and her dad cheekily promoting the Capital One Venture Credit Card, family photos with Garner, her parents, and her two sisters, a selfie of Garner and her dad in a Texas A&M hat, and more priceless shots.
“There is so much to say about my dad — my sisters and I will never be done talking about how wonderful he was, so bear with us — but for today I share these memories with my appreciation for the kind and brilliant man, father, and grandfather he was, as well as the loving legacy he left behind,” Garner concluded.
Fans and fellow Hollywood A-listers are sending their condolences to the “13 Going on 30” star.
“Sending so much love and wrapping you in a warm hug 🫂,” Julianne Hough said.
“I’m so sorry Jen. Sending love to you. It’s so hard to lose your father. What a blessing to have had him for so long 💔💔💔💔🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾,” Holly Robinson Peete wrote.
Our thoughts are with Garner, her kids, and the rest of their family during this especially hard time.
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