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Jerry Jeff Walker, 78,
‘Mr. Bojangles’ Creator;
On Historic OHS Team
ONEONTA – Jerry Jeff Walker, the Oneonta native who found country music stardom with his 1968 hit “Mr. Bojangles,” has died after a three-year battle with throat cancer, according to reports.
Born Ronald Clyde Crosby on March 16, 1942, in Oneonta, was a member of OHS Coach Tony Drago’s unbeaten, untied 1959-60 varsity basketball team. He also formed his first band locally, The Tones. He graduated in 1960 and moved to New York City, then to Austin.
In 1968, he recorded his hit, “Mr. Bojangles,” which was covered by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Sammy Davis Jr. He released over 30 albums, including “It’s About Time” in 2018.
In 2008, he was named to the Oneonta Alumni Association’s Wall of Fame.
Jerry Jeff, “we’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when, but it will be some sunny day”.
Susan, Annick and I send our sincerest sympathy’s to you and the family.
40 years after Bojangles he earned the coveted recognition of the Oneonta Alumni Association’s Wall of Fame.
There is a fundraiser to build a bandstand in his honor.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/oneonta-loves-jerry-jeff-walker?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1
I never knew he was an Oneontan!! He was a great country singer.