my canvas bedroll. Please see to it I am not
embalmed. There should be an easier way to
leave this world. I hope it will be quick, and I will
not linger.”
Kelly’s friends began a vigil and made Kelly as
comfortable as he would allow. During the next
several days Kelly talked of many things and all
of the following quotes are Kelly Pruitt’s words,
written down as he said them:
“I would like this dying settled without my
family. But afterwards someone will need to tell
my little daughter Angelique. She is married to a
movie producer in Hollywood. She loves me very
much and will need to know. My second wife
Donna is still in my life. She has an art gallery in
Taos and has a large collection of my paintings. I
have sons and daughters, and Terry knows how
to get in touch with them.
“No, I will not go see a doctor, and I am tired
of you mentioning it. I will get up from here and
fist fight you if you bring it up again.”
During the vigil, many other friends, hearing
about Kelly, came to see him. A Presidio County
deputy, the justice of the peace and his clerk
came. Kelly dictated and signed his will. A nurse
stopped by and tried to talk him into going to the
doctor. He flirted with her and said no.
“Isn’t this wonderful? A great funeral and I am
here for it,” Kelly declared after most everyone
had left.
He finally agreed to drink some water. He
had been fasting before his trouble and allowed a
little water would not break his fast, but he would
not drink from plastic bottles. At sundown, he
became cold and decided he could probably
make it inside the old school bus where it was
warmer.
The next day found Kelly a little stronger. He
drank more water but still refused to eat. He took
an aspirin that made him sick. From his cot he
watched clouds, and from time to time he contin-
ued to talk of his life:
“I honor the Great Spirit who creates clouds
and transports water to where it is needed.
Clouds are a gift. I have kept the commandments
as best I could.”
“My birthday is not really known. My mother
was not sure.”
“At one time I was a Mormon and was mar-
ried in the Temple.”
“I was working on a ranch in Colorado. One
day an old vaquero got off his horse, sat down,
leaned on a big rock and died. That is a good way
to go.”
“I was a paratrooper in World War II.”
“I have always had a strong connection with
the spirit world. I need to stay close to the river. I
am connected to the Rio Grande.”
“The totality of A. Kelly Pruitt is three trillion
cells, and when the spirit leaves the body, each
cell is an energy that leaves with the spirit.”
“We think our children are special, but some-
times enemies from past lives sneak back in their
form to torture us.”
“I was never a natural parent. We have no
guidance. Teach the Warrior’s Way.”
“I was shoeing my horse when my left arm
began hurting. It got so bad I had to lie down in
the manure. Laid there for a couple of hours. I
thought it a fitting way for an old cowboy to go,
wearing my spurs and hat.”
“Please notify Pawnee, my ex-wife, after the
fact. She also has a collection of my works. She is
a warrior woman.”
“Somehow the Universe works. It is a mar-
velous system. Yesterday I was involved in the
business of the world. Today I am not.”
“A bobcat killed one of the sheep and bit
another that won’t make it. A man in Redford
will come and get the sheep. I wish we had a
video of Wolf herding the sheep.”
“What a marvelous prayer – Yea though I
walk through this valley. Today the world is full
of fear.”
“It’s for the best my horses ran away last night.
I can’t take care of them anymore.”
Kelly appeared to gain strength, and everyone
hoped his crisis had passed. He finally ate some
food. His friends watched him closely. Too close-
ly sometimes, and Kelly would tell them, “Dying
is a private thing. I need you to go away now and
just come back every once in a while and check
to see if I have passed.”
Early Sunday morning, February 15, 2009,
Kelly called friends to him. “I have been trying
to die all night and just cannot get it done. I am
in pain and do not think I can stand it any longer.
I guess you should call the ambulance so they can
come out here and give me a shot.” The Presidio
ambulance was on a trip to Alpine, and the
Marfa ambulance did not make it in time. Kelly
died peacefully, with friends at his side holding his
hands.
Kelly’s friends finished digging the grave he
had started, and he was buried as he wished, in
his bedroll, in the old cemetery at the Bishop’s La
Junta Farm.
Kelly’s dogs and the wolf mourned with wor-
ried eyes, low moans and howls as Kelly’s friends
covered his body with shovels full of dirt and
gravel. A combination of “Amazing Grace” and
“Home on the Range” was sung accompanied
by harmonica and guitar.
A magical
oasis in the
Chihuahuan
Desert
of Texas
Kelly’s vision of a non-profit as described in the story is
being pursued: The recently formed La Junta Heritage
Center is an IRS recognized 501c3 non-profit, with a 16-
member board of directors. Terry Bishop and his family
have given LJHC a 99-year lease on 72 acres of their La
Junta Farm for the center. Richard Galle, executive direc-
tor, can be contacted for more information about the center
at 432.684.6827.
rustic lodging
camping
reservations
required
432.229.4165
Off the
Pinto Canyon Rd
near Ruidosa
chinatihotsprings.com
Dan and Dianna Burbach,
Managers
Green Works
ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION PHASE SERVICES
Adobe Restoration
Architectural Design
Registered Accessibility
Specialist, State of Texas
Mike Green, AIA, Texas License #10917
LEED Accredited Professional
646-256-8112
[email protected]
Box 97, Marfa, TX 79843
2013 Chamber Events
July - Chili Cook-off and Dance at the Post Park
August - Birds and Butterflies of the Big Bend
September - West Fest Cabrito Cook Off at Post Park
October - Marathon to Marathon & Quilt Show
November - Cowboy Social at Ritchey Brothers Building
December - Fiesta de Noche Buena
– go to marathontexas.com for details –
Cenizo
Second Quarter 2013
9