True story about Dan Blocker aka Hoss Cartwright

[12 point]

My great uncle lived in Carlsbad, New Mexico. He died long before I was ever born.
I recall various times over the years while growing up, dad would mention things his uncle said about Dan Blocker. Dad would sometimes bring it up while we were watching Bonanza together. My great uncle told about how he once had a neighbor that was a school teacher there in Carlsbad and how strong he was. Said his name was Dan Blocker and he now was an actor on TV and moved to California. Dad didn't think he was fibbing about it, but wasn't quite sure what to say. My great uncle told how his former neighbor lifted a washing machine like it weighed nothing at all and carried it out of the house by himself. He swore up and down he was telling the truth.

Not long ago I started doing some reading about Dan Blocker and learned that he did in fact teach school at Carlsbad, NM. . Just thought it was kind of neat to hear things about Dan prior to his fame as an actor.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Blocker

[OBU13DAD]

That is pretty cool, I went to the Ponderosa as a kid and it was just like a movie set very small house but still cool.

[doghouse]

I've been to the house and it's not near as big as the TV screen made it look. No kitchen at all as best I remember. I was a kid and loved Hoss and the show!

[kumathebear]

He was born in a little town close to Lamesa, TX. They have a sign, at least several years ago, honoring him at the city limits.

[Dushon]

He was born in a little town close to Lamesa, TX. They have a sign, at least several years ago, honoring him at the city limits.

I thought he was from alpine for some reason

[georgec]

He was first cousin to the people that lived behind my grandparents in Carthage Mississippi met him when I was a little kid but really don't remember it. My folks and grandparents always talked about how friendly he was.

[Thumper]

"Blocker was born Bobby Dan Davis Blocker in De Kalb in Bowie County in northeastern Texas,..."

But the Blocker family moved back, away from De Kalb, when he was 2yrs old. This was during the depression and it wasn't uncommon for more than one family to live on the same family farm.

Mom was born in De Kalb and was 8 years older than Dan. Their families were neighbors and the kids all played together. Mom was life long friends with Dan Blocker's cousin and I remember him coming by the house to visit mom and his cousin when he came to Houston, this was in the late 50' before Bonanza. He died way to young.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Blocker

[doghouse]

Loved the show Bonanza. Can anyone tell me what age he was when he died?

[Mudslinger]

O'Donnell just south of Tahoka and north of Lamesa up here in the panhandle calls itself the "home" of Dan Blocker. I always thought he was born there but gues that is not true.

[bklem]

He was born in a little town close to Lamesa, TX. They have a sign, at least several years ago, honoring him at the city limits.

O'Donnell I believe. I coached with a fellar from o'Donnel and he always talked about the Blocker family.

Edit: Doug and I thought the same??

[elkbowhunter]

love Hoss!!! great story...thanks of sharing. Seemed like a great guy

[Thumper]

Loved the show Bonanza. Can anyone tell me what age he was when he died?

43

[N.DaWoods]

loved the show, reminds me of my dad.

[RascalArms]

Ironic that he was always kinda cast as somewhat "aloof"...when it appears he was the only cast member of Bonanza to have a college degree.

[Graybow]

I thought he was from alpine for some reason

He played football for Sul Ross University, at Alpine.