R.I.P. Pokey

Anyone who grew up in the OKC area between the 1960s and ‘80s likely has fond memories of Ho-Ho and Pokey. No, that’s not a cheeky way of describing how Kate Middleton got pregnant, but rather the beloved clown and sock puppet whose children’s show on KOCO Channel 5 entertained kids for nearly 40 years.

Credit: Brad Gregg

 

Ed Birchall, the man behind the Ho-Ho character, passed away in 1988. More sad news came last week with the death of Bill Howard, the gentle wit, and hands, behind Pokey, Ho-Ho’s irrepressible puppet sidekick.

Howard was 77.

Farewell, Bill. You brightened many a childhood, and you’ll be missed.