My Genealogy Hound

Gene Autry, grave and tombstone, Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills, California, photo

The tombstone and grave site of Gene Autry, "The Singing Cowboy". Autry was born as Orvon Grover Autry on September 29, 1907 near Tioga, Texas. The long career of Gene Autry in films and radio ("Gene Autry's Melody Ranch") is credited with introducing country music to a national audience. Over the course of his career, more than 100 million records were sold including such popular songs as That Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine (1935); Back In The Saddle Again (1939); Here Comes Santa Claus (1947); Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1949); and Frosty the Snowman (1950).

Despite being one of the most popular and successful entertainers of the time, Autry enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Corps during World War II where he served as a pilot of a C-109 making high risk flights over the Himalayas.

A man of many interests, Autry was also a real estate investor, a promoter and investor in professional rodeo, and was the original owner of the Los Angeles Angels Baseball team. Autry is the only person to have five different stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Gene Autry died just after his 91st birthday at Studio City, California on October 2, 1998. He is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Hollywood Hills, California. The plaque on his grave reads:
"America's Favorite Cowboy

Orvon Gene Autry
September 29, 1907 - October 2, 1998

American Hero
Philanthropist
Patriot and Veteran
Movie Star
Singer
Composer
Baseball Fan and Owner
33rd Degree Mason
Media Entrepreneur
Loving Husband
Gentleman

A Believer In Our Western Heritage"