My Genealogy Hound

De Kalb, Texas, Dan Blocker, Tombstone and Grave, Hoss Cartwright, photo

The simple tombstone and grave of Dan Blocker, better known as Hoss Cartwright on the Bonanza television series. This tombstone is located in the Blocker family plot in Woodmen Cemetery, De Kalb, Texas in Bowie County in the north eastern corner of Texas. Born as Bobby Dan Davis Blocker in De Kalb, Texas on December 10, 1928, he is reported to have weighed 14 pounds at birth and the largest baby ever born in Bowie County. As an adult, Blocker stood 6 foot four inches and 300 pounds. Despite his intimidating size, he was known as easy going, with a friendly, easy smile. He graduated with a Masters Degree in Dramatic Arts from Sul Ross State Teacher's College at Alpine, Texas. He afterward taught both elementary and high school. During 1951-52, Blocker served as a sergeant in the Korean War where he received the Purple Heart for wounds received.

Blocker's acting career began in 1956 where he had small parts in a number of television programs, most of which were westerns. These included episodes of Cheyenne; Cimarron City; Colt .45; Gunsmoke; Have Gun Will Travel; Johnny Yuma; Maverick; The Restless Gun; The Rifleman; Sheriff of Cochise; Wagon Train; and Zorro. The role he became fully identified with was as Hoss Cartwright on the long running Bonanza television series. From 1959 to 1972, Blocker acted the role of Hoss, the middle son of Ben Cartwright (Lorne Greene, 1915-1987), the younger brother of Adam Cartwright (Pernell Roberts, 1928-2010), and the older brother of Little Joe Cartwright (Michael Landon 1936-1991). After the end of the thirteenth season of Bonanza, Blocker underwent gall bladder surgery which at the time seemed to be rather routine and successful. After being released from the hospital and returning to his home, Blocker died of an pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs) on May 13, 1972. Blocker was 43 years old. The Bonanza television series lasted only one more season without him with the final episode broadcast on January 16, 1973. (see the additional photos below)

The Blocker tombstone marking the Blocker family plot. The tombstone at the right is that of Dan Blocker. At the left is the tombstone of Dan's mother, Mary A. Blocker. Out of view and further left is the tombstone of Dan's father, Ora (Shack) Blocker. Also out of view and to the right of Dan Blocker is the tombstone of a sister who died as a child. (see the additional photos below)

The tombstone of Dan Blocker's mother, Mary A. Blocker, 1901-1998.

The tombstone of Dan Blocker's father, Ora (Shack) Blocker, 1895-1960.

De Kalb is in Bowie County, Texas, located in north eastern Texas.