Dallas is a very important place for my father': Larry Hagman's life is remembered in a touching memorial service in the grounds of Southfork Ranch

Larry Hagman's life was remembered by friends, family and fans in a number of memorial services at the weekend.
The Dallas actor passed away last month at the age of 81, and his memory was celebrated by fans at an informal event on the grounds of the iconic Southfork Ranch in Parker, Texas - where scenes for the iconic TV show are filmed - on Sunday.
Afternoon tours of the site were made complimentary in honour of the star, while a slideshow of his most memorable work was screened.

Laid to rest: The life of Larry Hagman was remembered by friends, family and fans in a number of memorial services at the weekend

Fans were also able to sign a guest book, which will eventually to be given to Larry's family.
Typically, the site attracts around 300 to 400 visitors a day, but around 1,500 attended over the weekend.

Larry's wood and leather director's chair, adorned with his flashy belt buckle and trademark cowboy hat, welcomed friends, family and co-stars to the private memorial service held on Saturday for the actor who rose to global fame as oil-rich villain J.R. Ewing in Dallas.

Celebration: The Dallas actor's memory was celebrated by fans at an informal event on the grounds of the iconic Southfork Ranch in Parker, Texas, where scenes for the iconic TV show are filmed

Tributes: Afternoon tours of the site were made complimentary in honour of the star, while a slideshow of his most memorable work was screened for fans

A private memorial service was hosted by the actor's children at the fictional Southfork Ranch on Saturday, with his co-stars Linda Gray and Patrick Duffy giving touching eulogies at the service.
Other attendees included Dallas actors Josh Henderson, Jesse Metcalfe, Brenda Strong, Julie Gonzalo and Sheree Wilson, as well as actor Lee Majors and tycoons Caroline Rose Hunt, Trammell S. Crow, Shannon Wynne and civic leader Ruth Altshuler.
Larry's family believed it was important to celebrate the star's life in Texas.

Paying their respects: Fans were also able to sign a guest book, which will eventually to be given to Larry's family

Goodbye, J.R: Typically, the Southfork Ranch site attracts around 300 to 400 visitors a day, but around 1,500 attended over the weekend

His son Preston Hagman said: 'Dallas was where he passed and Dallas was in the middle of [filming] the show here. The show made him and Dallas is a very important place for my father.'
Another private memorial took place in California on Sunday.
Larry's long-term manager and close friend Gene Yusem has also confirmed there are plans to commemorate the actor by scattering his ashes at the Dallas mansion.

In remembrance: Larry Hagman rose to global fame as oil-rich villain J.R. Ewing in Dallas

Iconic: Fans took tours of the legendary Southfork Ranch in honour of the late actor

Mr Yusem told MailOnline: 'It sounds like it will happen and I wouldn't be surprised if it does. Larry had such a great sense of humour, he would have loved it.'
Larry had been filming the new edition of Dallas for the TNT network while battling throat cancer and close to the end of his life his family and friends, including co-stars Linda Gray and Patrick Duffy, were by his side.
Linda, 72, who plays J.R's notorious ex-wife Sue Ellen, tweeted: 'We had a beautiful gathering this morning on the Dallas set where cast and crew shared stories about Larry Hagman.'

Memories: Larry's son Preston Hagman explained the Dallas set was a 'very important place' for his father

Memorabilia: Larry's wood and leather director's chair, adorned with his flashy belt buckle and trademark cowboy hat, welcomed friends, family and co-stars to the private memorial service held on Saturday for the actor

The history of Southfork Ranch began in 1978 when Lorimar Productions chose the North Texas mansion as the site for a new CBS series, only originally envisaged as a five-part drama.
However, the series became a hit and counted millions of fans across the U.S. and in the 95 foreign countries where it was aired.
The original Dallas ran from 1979-1991, dominating ratings, inspiring a prime-time soap craze, and giving rise to "Who Shot J.R.?" mania.

Legend: Larry Hagman passed away last month at the age of 81 after battling throat cancer

The Ewings: Dallas became an instant hit, and originally ran from 1979 to 1991

Hagman was at the centre of it - and in 1980, 83 million people tuned in to find out just who had shot the evil millionaire.
Event though the episodes were filmed at a studio, Southfork always remained the Dallas backdrop and quickly became a tourist mecca, even offering weddings.

Southfork Ranch: Larry's long-term manager and close friend Gene Yusem has also confirmed there are plans to commemorate the actor by scattering his ashes at the Dallas mansion

Fans: Southfork Ranch has been inundated with fans keen to pay their final respects to the iconic Larry Hagman