Signs of mourning remain all over Bakersfield Thursday, a day after Merle Haggard passed away at age 79.
The Fox Theater sported a sign that read, "Rest In Peace Merle Haggard" and the memorial at the Kern County Museum grew every hour.
Strings of people passed through the museum and stopped at the boxcar, in somber memoriam of the late Bakersfield country music icon.
There are still a few questions as to what exactly led to his passing on his birthday. According to officials close to the late country star Haggard died of complications with pneumonia.
Haggard was diagnosed last December, and over the past several months his condition worsened. He died on his tour bus surrounded by friends and family, according to his son Ben Haggard.
Haggard will have a private funeral Saturday. Those who wish to pay their respects, can visit the Kern County Museum between April 7th and the 9th 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. The museum is offering free admission to those who wish to honor Haggard. Flowers and other remembrances are allowed, but candles are not.
Groups like New Pathways, a program for disabled adults, came to place signs and share their thoughts on Haggard. "They were just talking about his songs," Mentor Karen Plaza said.
Plaza said she grew up with his music and that it inspired her brother because he came from nothing and became a legend.
Roger Self also grew up listening to Haggard. He and his wife were visiting California, from Texas, and when they heard the news they knew they had to come to his boxcar and pay their respects.
"[Bakersfield] has a lot to be proud of and it's a very sad occasion," but Self added his music will live on forever as the music from an icon.
