Posted on 08/09/2026 5:20:41 PM PDT by Ciaphas Cain
Ben Jones, the actor turned politician best known for playing Cooter Davenport on “The Dukes of Hazzard,” died on Sunday from a heart attack, according to his wife Alma Viator. He was 84.
Viator announced her husband’s death in a Facebook post on Sunday afternoon. With a photo of Jones holding his dog, she wrote, “I lost the love of my life today. Ben passed from a massive heart attack. He was home resting in his favorite chair waiting for the Braves to come on and whoop the Yankees. Ben had the most amazing, rich, full life. He loved and was loved by so many. He will be missed. I loved him so much.”
In “The Dukes of Hazzard,” Jones played Cooter Davenport, the Hazzard County mechanic and an honorary member of the Duke clan. Appearing in 142 episodes, Jones starred alongside Tom Wopat, John Schneider, Catherine Bach, Denver Pyle, Sorrell Brooke and Waylon Jennings.
(Excerpt) Read more at variety.com ...
There goes another little part of my youth.
Cooter was a great guy!
Braves beat the Yankees 2-1, so Cooter can rest in peace.
We must be about the same age. I don’t remember it, but my Dad said I was a huge fan of The Dukes of Hazzard” when I was a single digit midget.
Her husband died today and she had to go post about it on facebook...
“Cooter” meant something else entirely in my youth...
I must be a little older than you guys, probably. I’m 52. Just old enough to take part in the bitterness that came about during third grade when Bo and Luke exited and Coy and Vance aka “the two losers” took over.
RIP, Ben Jones.
He opened up Cooter’s Place in Luray, VA. I believe he has other locations. I did not watch “Dukes of Hazzard,” but I do enjoy the Confederate flag at Cooter’s Place.
Same: the phrase “Crazy Cooter comin at ya” meant something waaay different in high school in the early 80s.
Right on
Getting that age where I pray for the peaceful death - glad he had one.
Yep...out on 340 almost to 81...good place.
A few years ago a large fire was in George Washington National Forest. The firefighters used Cooter’s Place as its command center.
I miss Luray...my parents had a small store along 340 in Rileyville...Kelly’s Point Grocery - from 1980 to around 2005 when my mom passed.
Last time I was at Vooter’s Plave he was on stage with his band.
Cooter’s Place.
Davenport?! What kind of name is that for a redneck?
RIP Cooter.
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