Cowboy Television Legend Dies - James Arness R.I.P.

James Arness, known far and wide as television's Marshal Mat Dillon on Gunsmoke, died 3 June 2011 at the age of 88 years old of natural causes. I grew up in the 1960's watching Gunsmoke among other television westerns. Marshal Dillon always stood for right over wrong, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

It is little known that James Arness served with the U.S. Army during World War II, being wounded in action at Anzio Beach during D Day. He is best known for being Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, which ran from 1955-1975 and can sometimes be found on television. I also liked him in his role as a grizzled old Mountain Man in How the West Was Won.

By all accounts a wonderful man who suffered tragedy in his life with the death of his daughter and wife both from Drug overdoses, many of us was fortunate enough to see him on an interview with Bill O'Reilly where Mr. Arness expressed gratefulness on the full and rewarding life he was lived and no doubt influencing a lot of young boys along the way. God Bless and Rest in Peace.