This grave in the Terlingua cemetery caught my eye, firstly due to the elaborate display of empty beer and tequilla bottles, and secondly because it was so new.
The inscription on the headstone, difficult to read at this resolution, states:
A Terlingua Legend
“Dr. Doug”
Douglas Paul Blackmon
01.20.54 – 05-19-17
The person buried here was obviously quite a character and a bit of Googling found his obituary which partially reads:
Doug, the last of eight children learned early the tricks of survival and in his early 20’s went to Terlingua, Texas a(nd) lived as a survivalist for the remainder of (h)is life. He became known early on as the borderline pseudo psychiatrist who ran the largest open air insane asylum from The Porch at the Terlingua Trading Post where he combined mental health therapy and medicine for a small fee.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/179624332/douglas-paul-blackmon
For the technically inclined...
Thank you for showing interest and sharing this photo. Dr Doug is my brother and he truly was loved and honored by his community – he was a legend and I am grateful that he continues to touch new people from around the world.- His memory truly lives on – Thank you – Gale Blackmon Carrington (sister)
Thanks, Gale, for commenting! Based on what I’ve read since taking this picture, I get the distinct impression that Doug was exactly the kind of person that made Terlingua the very special place that it is today. I’m sorry I never got a chance to meet him.
[…] Did you ever sit on the Porch at the Starlight Theatre in Terlingua? – I’ve had the good fortune to not only sit on the infamous Porch, but also to receive FREE counseling from the late Dr. Doug. […]
While walking down memory Lane thinking of my brother Doug, I caught your post. I miss him still! Thank you for your kind words.
His sister,
Karyn Blackmon Trigg
Thanks for visiting, Karyn, and for leaving a note. The more I read about your brother, the more I wish I had a chance to meet him before he passed away!
I met Dr. Doug upon my arrival in Terlingua at the Trading Post/barn. Being unfamiliar with the area, I’d usually stop by the bar to seek out locals who could steer me towards a good location. We bonded over a few drinks, his preference being red wine as I recall. In turn he led me to a couple spots where I was able to make some photographs that still live in my portfolio today. I have a picture of the two of us from that day but can’t get it to load in the comments box. Interesting fellow for sure.
Ben,
Thanks for your remembrance! If you want to post a link to the picture, I expect that should work. Drop me a message via the Contact page if it doesn’t and I’ll add it to the post.
I have a picture of Dr. Doug from when he was my location scout in Terlingua but can’t get it to show in comments box.