I got the sad news this morning that my old friend David McCullough from Taos had passed away. Horsley texted me first and then Linda Cook.
It sounds trite to say that somebody was the nicest guy in the world but Dave truly was. I knew him for a long time, what, twenty five, thirty years? Who knows at this point. We did a lot of antique shows together.
Dave sold art and antiques, he worked with David and Linda Cook from Denver for a long time. Always smiling, had the best attitude. Came up with the Anna Keener estate and helped get a monograph published.
I have looked for his picture for two hours. I know I have one, thought I took a picture of everybody but can't put my finger on it so you get bell peppers for now. It will be a placeholder until I can find one. My paean to Weston.
He was a handsome fellow for sure, with a hearty laugh. An enthusiastic man. Movie star good looks but the humblest of attitudes. When I first saw Dave this summer I went into shock. My jaw dropped. He had aged so much, not hard to see that he had been in terrible pain and distress.
It was obvious that he was in liver failure and in horrible shape. Jaundiced and distended. But try to navigate the health system today, especially when you live in a little town without access to good medical services or are saddled with a bad insurance plan.
I thought that he might pull through, I am sorry to say he could not. He leaves a wife and two children. Much too young to leave our planet, it is tragic and depressing. He will be greatly missed by all who had the good fortune to make his acquaintance. So long, compadre.
5 comments:
David was wonderful for me these last few years with great finds from Taos...surprised to learn he had been big in river rafting and taking tours down the Rio Grande. We first met at R.C. Gorman's workshop sale in Taos. The brokers said when I arrived with 30 minutes to go that they had to wait till 9am because 'people from Dallas' were flying in.
Then David showed up and they told him the same. We waited till 9am and then only the two of us walked in. No one from Dallas showed. We had the run of the sale until we left and then a third buyer showed up. Laid back Taos.
David with the brilliant eye will be sorely missed.
Reading you just made me cry... McCullough...loved him. Barry Friedman
I spent my high school and early college years hanging with Dave and a group of really great guys. David will be missed, so many memories and most of all, it involved, laughing, pranks and simply being young and foolish!
Sorry to hear about Dave! You all had very nice things to say about him. I am a friend from Arlington, TX. Any updates on the services or anything else I can do for the family?
I don't Tony. Perhaps a reader will know and help you out.
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