<Tr> <Th> Children </Th> <Td> Opie Taylor (son) Andy Taylor Jr. (son) </Td> </Tr> <P> Sheriff Andrew "Andy" Jackson Taylor and in earlier episodes as Cousin Andy by Barney Fife is the major character on The Andy Griffith Show, an American sitcom which aired on CBS, (1960--1968). He also appears in the Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. episode "Opie Joins the Marines", made a cameo appearance in the USMC episode "Gomer Goes Home," five episodes of Mayberry R.F.D. (1968--1971) and the reunion telemovie Return to Mayberry (1986). The character made his initial appearance in an episode of The Danny Thomas Show entitled "Danny Meets Andy Griffith ." In the CBS special The Andy Griffith - Don Knotts - Jim Nabors Show (1965), Andy and Barney are featured in a musical sketch about their friendship and recreate some classic moments between the characters . Andy Griffith, as Sheriff Taylor, also has a brief comedy cameo in Rowan and Martin at the Movies (1969), a PSA short subject promoting the purchase of U.S. Savings Bonds . Andy Taylor appeared in all 249 episodes of The Andy Griffith Show and was played by comedian and actor Andy Griffith . </P> <P> Andy Taylor lives in the fictional, sleepy community of Mayberry, North Carolina . Andy is a widower and father to one young son, Opie . In the backdoor pilot episode from The Danny Thomas Show, viewers learn Andy lost his wife when Opie was "the least little speck of a baby ." In the first episode of the show Andy has a maid that is getting married and moving away . Andy's Aunt Bee comes in to act as his live - in housekeeper and as surrogate mother / grandmother to Opie . Andy goes fishing with his son and often spends evenings on the front porch strumming his guitar . He sometimes entertains (with reluctance) overnight guests like his Aunt Nora and Uncle Ollie and often has friends in for Aunt Bee's fried chicken dinners . Andy goes to the movies occasionally and to dinner at Morelli's with friends . He enjoys picnicking at Myers Lake and fishing is his favorite pastime . </P> <P> In the working world, Andy is Mayberry's Sheriff and Justice of the Peace . He has held the elected job of sheriff since approximately 1952 or' 53 . Andy has a head strong deputy named Barney Fife and, in the color seasons, another deputy named Warren Ferguson . When business is slow at the courthouse, Andy can be found playing checkers with Barney, sitting in front of the barber shop chewing the fat with idlers, playing pranks, or conducting personal errands . He occasionally leaves Mayberry to attend work - related conferences or functions in Mt . Pilot or Raleigh . </P>

What happened to andys wife on the andy griffith show
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