Dale Robertson

July 14, 1923 - February 26, 2013 
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Age 89

Dale L. Robertson was born on July 14, 1923. He passed away Feb. 26, 2013, from complications of lung cancer and pneumonia.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Dale Robertson, an Oklahoma native who became a star of television and movie Westerns during the genre's heyday, died Tuesday. He was 89.

Robertson's niece, Nancy Robertson, said her uncle died at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, California, following a brief illness.

Dale Robertson had bit parts in films including "The Boy with the Green Hair" and the Joan Crawford vehicle "Flamingo Road" before landing more high-profile roles such as Jesse James in "Fighting Man of the Plains."

In the 1950s, he moved into television, starring in series such as "Tales of Wells Fargo" (1957-62), "Iron Horse" (1966) and "Death Valley Days" (1968-70).

Robertson continued to work in TV in the 1970s, and in the 1980s he landed roles in the popular night-time soap operas "Dallas" and "Dynasty."

In 1993, he took what would be his final role, as Zeke in the show "Harts of the West," before retiring from acting to spend more time at his ranch in Yukon, Oklahoma, where he lived until moving to the San Diego area in recent months, Nancy Robertson said.

Dale Robertson would want to be remembered as a father, a grandfather and an Oklahoman, she said.

"He came back a lot when he was in Hollywood, and he came back (to Oklahoma) after retiring," she said.

"I remember him as a larger-than-life fellow," she said. "When he was in town it was always very exciting. It always meant something magical was going to happen," such as another actor or performing artist accompanying him on his visits.

Born Dayle Lymoine Robertson to Melvin and Vervel Robertson in Harrah, on July 14, 1923. He was born in Harrah, OK to Varval and Melvin Robertson . Dale attended Classen High School in Oklahoma City. As he started his junior year, he was declared ineligible to participate in sports because he had fought in two professional boxing fights. He therefore decided to enroll in the Oklahoma Military Academy in Claremore, OK at which he could participate in sports. While attending, he was nominated "All Around Athlete." When he was in his first year of college, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and thrust the U.S. into WWII. Dale, along with some of his friends, signed up, and thus, he started his military service in Fort Sill OK. He was sent to the horse cavalry at Fort Riley, KS, and from there to Fort Knox, KY to officers school, where he was commissioned a Second Lt. in the Armed Forces. Afterwards, he was sent to the Engineer School at Fort Belvoir, VA. He was later wounded in Germany near the end of the war while serving with the 322nd combat Engineer Battalion. He was awarded the Bronze Star and is considered as one of "The Greatest Generation."

He joined the U.S. Army and fought in North Africa and Europe during World War II. Robertson was wounded twice and awarded the Bronze and Silver Stars and the Purple Heart.

While stationed at San Luis Obispo, California, he had a photograph taken for his mother. A copy of the photo displayed in the photo shop window attracted movie scouts, and the 6-foot (1.83-meter)-tall, 180-pound (81.65-kilogram) Robertson soon was on his way to Hollywood.

Will Rogers Jr., son of fellow Oklahoma-born actor and writer Will Rogers, once told Robertson to avoid formal training and keep his own persona.

Robertson received the Golden Boot Award in 1985, and was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers and the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City.Presbyterian Church, 6225 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067. For more information about Dale's illustrious career and photos, please go to www.tributes.com In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Salvation Army or to Helen Woodward Animal Center, P.O. Box 64, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067.

He is survived by his loving wife, Susan; his daughter, Rochelle Robertson ; and granddaughter, Jade Angelica Fusco Robertson . Dale treasured his family and placed deep emphasis on the value of his friends who were the love of his life and were his motivating factor.

He was cremated, and his Memorial Service will be on April 14, 2013, 2 p.m. at the Village Community Presbyterian Church, 6225 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067.