Food Network Star Mourns Loss Of Beloved Family Member

Food Network star, Ree Drummond mourns the loss of her beloved father-in-law, Chuck Drummond.  She announced on Facebook that he died peacefully in his sleep on Friday.  As a fan of the highly popular "Pioneer Woman", I feel as if I knew the patriarch of the ranching family.  Chuck Drummond made many appearances in the kitchen and on the ranch over the years.  Chuck was a gruff-sounding,  yet lovable generational rancher.  If you watched the show, you know he was a man of few words, and he loved his steak rare.  Ree described her father-in-law as "one of a kind."  His six grandchildren knew him as "Pa-Pa."  The announcement said the 79 year old's health declined over the last few months.  The Food Network star in mourning the loss says, "his heart was open and generous, and family meant everything to him."

He passed his love for ranching on to his three sons and six grandchildren. He was the driving force behind organizing family reunions and keeping everyone close.  Ree says Chuck was very supportive of her career, watching her segments on QVC.  I also once read that he entertained guests waiting in line to enter her "Mercantile" venue in Oklahoma.  Drummond's husband, Ladd and his brother Tim lost an older brother in high school.  Their mom died five years ago.

As the Food Network star mourns the loss, Ree promises to share more pictures of "Pa-Pa" over the coming days.  She says not to let the gruff exterior fool you.  Chuck Drummond was also known for posing for selfies with fans.