Actress Jennifer Garner announced the death of her father on Instagram Monday night, saying he “passed away peacefully” Saturday.
She posted a series of images that capture her father in different stages of his life, as well as family photos that capture the star during her youth. Garner shared a lengthy, emotional message as she paid tribute to her dad. (RELATED: Jennifer Garner Takes The Shoes Off Her Feet To Help Someone In Need)
“My dad passed peacefully Saturday afternoon. We were with him, singing Amazing Grace as he left us (did we carry him across or scare him away— valid question.),” she wrote. “While there is no tragedy in the death of an 85 year old man who lived a healthy, wonderful life, I know grief is unavoidable, waiting around unexpected corners.”
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Garner tried to find some light amid the dark days of grieving such a tremendous loss.
“Today is for gratitude,” she wrote. “We are grateful for Dad’s gentle demeanor and quiet strength. For how he teased with a mischievous smile, and for the way he invented the role of all in, ever patient girl dad.”
Garner credited her father’s personality traits, as she shared the various ways she was impacted by the time she shared with him.
Actress Jennifer Garner and her parents attends the premiere of “Elektra” at the Palms Casino on January 8, 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images
“We are grateful for his work ethic, leadership and faith,” Garner said.
“We extend our gratitude to the medical communities of Charleston Area Medical Center and City of Hope. Your care extended Dad’s life and gave him time to be in his favorite spots – surrounded by daughters and grandchildren, cheering for his beloved Aggies, captaining a boat, and- most of all- next to his wife of 59 years, our Mom,” she wrote.
Jen Garner poses for a photo on the red carpet at Charter Oak Restaurant on May 18, 2023 in St Helena, California. Photo by Kelly Sullivan/Getty Images for St. Helena Hospital Foundation
Actress Jennifer Garner attends Premiere Of Summit Entertainment’s “Draft Day” at Regency Bruin Theatre on April 7, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images
“There is so much to say about my dad— my sisters and I will never be done talking about how wonderful he was, so bear with us— but for today I share these memories with my appreciation for the kind and brilliant man, father, and grandfather he was, as well as the loving legacy he left behind.”
Jennifer Garner attends 2019 Baby2Baby Gala Presented By Paul Mitchell at 3LABS on November 09, 2019 in Culver City, California. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Actress Jennifer Garner attends the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
A slew of celebrities rallied around Garner to share their support while she mourns this loss, including Jennifer Aniston, Lily Collins, Eva Longoria, Reese Witherspoon, Octavia Spencer, Elizabeth Banks, Sharon Stone, Julianne Moore, and many others.
The famous actress did not share any information about her father’s age, or his cause of death.
Garner has recently starred in several Capital One commercials which have aired during the NCAA March Madness tournament.