May the 4th Be With You – Chewbacca’s Resting Place

   If you’re a Star Wars fan, you know that the actor who portrayed the popular character of Chewbacca in the films was Peter Mayhew. But did you know that he was a Texan?

   The seven-foot-three-inch tall actor was British by birth, but after he married his Texan wife he became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 2005. He took that oath in Arlington Texas.

   The couple lived in the small town of Boyd, Texas.

   Unfortunately, Mayhew passed away shortly before his 75^th birthday. He is buried in Azleland Memorial Park in Reno, Texas.

   Now there are actually two towns called Reno in the state, both one in Parker County and the other in Lamar County, and both are home to about 3,000 people. So there’s often some confusion between the two.

   Azleland Memorial Park is in Parker County.

   Mayhew’s beautiful granite marker pays tribute to the man who was often referred to as a “gentle giant,” portraying both his own portrait and that of the character he made famous.

   A variety of small Chewbacca figurines have lovingly been placed at his gravesite by visitors as a tribute to his film legacy.

   It’s an unexpected find for a small town, but one that has become a bucket list stop for his many fans.

   The marker also includes the Isaac Newton quote, “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”

  Happy “May the 4^th Be With You” Day.