Page "The Dukes of Hazzard" Paragraph 17

* Jesse L. Duke ( Denver Pyle ), referred to by just about everyone in Hazzard other than Boss Hogg as " Uncle Jesse ", is the patriarch of the Duke clan, and the father-figure to all Dukes who stayed with him on the dilapidated " Duke Farm.

" Jesse apparently had no children of his own, and happily provided for his nephews and niece in the unexplained absence of all of their parents ( Gy Waldron, the creator of the show, states on the DVDs that their parents were killed in a car wreck, but it was never mentioned in the show ).

In the third broadcast episode, " Mary Kaye's Baby ", Jesse says that he has delivered many babies, including Bo and Luke.

Jesse Duke, in his youth, had been a ridgerunner in direct competition with J. D.

Hogg.

However, while both Boss Hogg and Uncle Jesse would scowl at the mention of the other's name, the two enjoyed a lifelong " friendship " of sorts, with one helping the other when in desperate need.

Jesse educated his nephews against Hogg, and often provided the cousins with inspirational sage advice.

Uncle Jesse drove a white 1973 Ford F-100 pickup truck.

In the barn, he also had his old moonshine-running car, called " Sweet Tillie " in its first appearance ( in the first season episode " High Octane "), but referred to as " Black Tillie " in subsequent appearances.

In the second season episode " Follow That Still " and the sixth season episode " The Boars Nest Bears ", the marriage to and death of his wife is mentioned ; he also mentions marrying her in the first season episode " Luke's Love Story ".

His CB handle was " Shepherd.