January 2019 16 What a gift it is to be given life and to be born healthy, both mentally and physically. To be blessed with the parents I was blessed with and to be born in America. The clarity in which I appreciate the above has allowed me to embrace life and my responsibility to grow as a human being every day. I always knew whatever gifts the good Lord gave to me, I would develop through hard work and dedication in order to leave something of value behind after my days on earth are gone.” This quote by Michael Dante in his book, From Hollywood to Michael Dante Way, says a lot about a life well grounded in faith, family, and country. Like it says on the cover of Arizona Real Country the Magazine, God – Family - Country. The gift of life is our opportunity to do with life what life is for. Being the best human being you can be, at least trying to be the best you can be. Filling a life with being a good role model for the younger generation, helping others along the way and most importantly having fun doing it. By Bob Roloff, “The Arizona Duuude” You can follow Bob Roloff on Facebook. THE ARIZONA DUUUDE any idea at the time that he'd become one of Arizona's best- known stuntmen. He watched and wondered as cotton fields and citrus trees disappeared to be replaced by tract homes and blacktop. He was there when Buckeye Road was known worldwide for its flower gardens instead of junkyards and burnt out cars. While still in grade school, the Nix family moved to California for a short while. Upon returning to Phoenix in 1955 his father went to work for Hanson Pump, where he would stay for twenty-five years. Ron attended St. Mary's and Carl Hayden High Schools where he played football and was heavily involved in other sports activities. After high school, Ron spent some time in the construction trade. Ron tells of his grandfather's attention to excellence and perfection in the construction field. “If you don't bend the nail you can work with me,” was his grandfather ’s reply when young Ron wanted to help him build homes in the Phoenix area. Little did he realize that someday he would use the knowledge bestowed upon him, in those early years by his grandfather, to build one of the largest movie sets in central Arizona. After spending some time working construction Ron would move on to work at Apacheland Movie Ranch in 1966. While at Apacheland Ron worked on such films as Death Valley Days, High Chaparral, and Bonanza. He played the “heavy”, (bad guy) or an Indian. Some of the parts required him to speak a few lines and some required him to fall off a horse. He doesn't remember which worried him the most. He decided to continue his work as a stuntman and to do what he could to be the best in the Western movie world. By 1968 he was working in movies such as Charro with Elvis Presley, Man And Boy with Bill Cosby and The Great White Hope with James Earl Jones. In 1969 Ron doubled for Marty Robbins in Guns Of A Stranger. He also worked with Jaclyn Smith, Jack Elam, Jan Michael Vincent, Sally Field, and Karl Malden. Ron did stunt work during the making of Audie Murphy’s last movie: A Time For Dying. Audie Murphy was the most decorated soldier in World War Two. Neither Ron nor Michael have slowed down. Michael has published yet another book, which he promotes when making personal appearances throughout the year. He tells about his early years playing baseball until a shoulder injury got in the way. A chance for a movie audition, set up by a friend started Michael on his successful movie career. But Michael has always loved baseball, he was on track to be a professional player. He became a friend of Joe DiMaggio, and if you are of the age to remember Joe DiMaggio you need to get Michael's biography. What a great read with many names you will remember. Information for this article was gained from conversations with Michael Dante and his biography, From Hollywood To Michael Dante Way and from conversations with Ron Nix, and the book Cowtown by Harvey Heyder, published in 1987 that was on loan to me from Richard Shaw. Ron's latest movie, WARNING: No Trespassing produced by Pat Larkin & Ron Nix, has been shown at the American Film Market and a sale is in the works. This is a thriller and local sheriff Pat has to track down a serial killer while the Mayor is threatening to bring in the National Guard. Starring: Kristina Wayborn, Pat Larkin, Marty Cove, Spanky Spangler, Cole McKay, Neil Summers, Frank Noel, Bobbi Jean Olson, Ron Nix, Randy Lester, Daniel Hitchcock, Stephanie Dostal, Pat Sweeney, Sandy Gibbons, and Linda Ray Jurgens. “ Meet up with Michael Dante, Ron Nix, the Arizona Duuude and others at the reunion of the old Apacheland Movie Ranch in Apache Junction on January 12th and 13th. Superstitionmountainmuseum.org This month I would like to recognize two friends that have filled life to the brim and are still out there every day, living their lives to the fullest. I started with Michael Dante, next I would like to recognize Arizona's own homegrown celebrity, Ron Nix. Ron Nix likes to reminisce about his days living in southwest Phoenix. They were days of learning and perfecting his trade, even though he didn't have Honoring Michael Dante & Ron Nix Right: Arizona Raiders, Michael Dante and Audie Murphy Ron Nix and Elvis Presley discussing their next stunt