In memoriam: Douglas N. Marlette, 1949-2007

[thatcrazycajun]

CNN.com has posted this eloquent piece on the tragic and untimely passing of Doug Marlette, editorial cartoonist for newspapers in Tulsa, OK and Charlotte, NC, as well as anti-death-penalty activist and creator of the comic strip Kudzu. This singularly talented son of the South was killed last week when the pickup truck he was riding in as a passenger, on the way back from his father's funeral, hydroplaned off a wet Mississippi highway and struck a tree.

The driver apparently survived with minor injuries; one hopes he will have the grace to be thoroughly ashamed for the rest of his life for his carelessness and take responsibility for causing the world to lose Marlette and his gifts. I find irony in noting that while it is a mercy Doug's father did not live to have to bury his own child, if his father had lived, Doug would probably still be with us, mercilessly puncturing politicians (of both parties and all philosophies), preachers, pundits, performers and other public figures with his perspicacious pen.

Marlette's own funeral was held yesterday, just outside the North Carolina town of Hillsborough where he was born. His official website requests that, in lieu of flowers or gifts or cards, donations be made to a memorial scholarship fund set up in his name to train future cartoonists; I cannot imagine a better way to remember someone who did so much for this uniquely American art form. And it seems fitting to note this on the day of the week set aside by newspapers publishing his strip for its weekly large-format color installment. My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to his now-bereaved wife Melinda and son Jackson, as well as the rest of his family, his friends and co-workers, and his many other fans on this sad and rainy Sunday.

For those not fortunate enough to be already familiar with his work (and if that's you, don't deprive yourself any longer, for heaven's sake; there are several books out there collecting his drawings), Mr. Marlette's artistic style was somewhat reminiscent of Mike Peters (Mother Goose & Grimm) and the late Jeff McNelly (Shoe), both of whom, like him, have divided their talents between highly original narrative strips and pungent political one-panels. Goodbye, Mr. Marlette, and thank you for speaking truth to (and tweaking the noses of) power—not to mention giving those of us who grew up in this part of the country many satisfying moments of laughing in recognition at the antics of Kudzu and his friends.

Comments

[darrenzieger.livejournal.com]

"The driver apparently survived with minor injuries; one hopes he will have the grace to be thoroughly ashamed for the rest of his life for his carelessness and take responsibility for causing the world to lose Marlette and his gifts."

Um, there's nothing in the article to suggest that the driver was being careless. If was a freaking accident. Harsh.

[thatcrazycajun.livejournal.com]

Maybe I am speaking from sadness and disappointment, but having been in rain accidents that could have been avoided by my paying more attention and curbing my own reckless tendencies, I have a hard time believing that this one could not also have been avoided. Admittedly, I do not have detailed information about the accident, so perhaps I am in no position to judge; but my experience has been that the vast majority of automobile accidents are caused by driver error, rather than simple happenstance or outside actors beyond the driver's control. Rain-slick roads should engender additional caution and awareness for any driver, and I do not exempt myself.

[osewalrus.livejournal.com]

I have seen too many accidents caused by fate as well as by human error. And even human error is not always avoidable. The split second flash of judgement that turns up wrong may not even have been an error or carelessness. It may just have been the wrong answer with no way to know.

Do not give in to grief with rage. Extend the benefit of the doubt to a man who was obviously a close friend of the deceased and is therefore no doubt grieving himself.

Factual Correction

[(Anonymous)]

I appreciate your sentiment, but just FYI, Doug was not on his way back from his father's funeral whe he died. Doug's father, Elmer, was buried in Charlotte, NC on a Friday,and Doug gave a very moving eulogy at that service. Doug then went home with his family to their home in Hillsborough, NC for the weekend. The next Tuesday morning, Doug flew from Raleigh, NC to Memphis, where he was picked up for the drive to Oxford, Miss. It was on that drive, several days after his father's funeral, that Doug died.

Driver

[(Anonymous)]

Your comments about the driver of the vehicle carrying Doug when he died are mean-spirited. I am sure this teacher feels enough remorse without you acting as a merciless judge. Good grief, that kind of stuff is what Doug railed against.

[thatcrazycajun.livejournal.com]

I apologize to all my friends, and to all of Mr. Marlette's family, friends, professional associates and fans, most profusely if I have given offense, or gone against his publicly shown attitudes and beliefs, in criticizing the driver of the truck in which he was killed. My sorrow at losing this tremendous talent led me to intemperate statements, which I seem to have a sad tendency towards in general when moments like this occur. I have no wish to add to the abundance of grief with unfair words, and I beg forgiveness. I hereby retract the statement, but the comments I made and responses thereto will remain posted as a reminder to me not to judge so harshly in future.