He loved sharing knowledge
SINCE HIS passing on August 26, 2018, much has been said and written about the life of Easton Douglas by those who knew him and others who knew of him. His many personal achievements and outstanding contribution to institutions and country should remain a source of pride, while lessening the grief for family members and friends who continue to mourn his death.
Like them, I consider it an exceptional pleasure to have met and known this giant of a man for more than 30 years. We share a brother, Conrad, in common – him through biological linkage and me by a spiritual and extremely close voluntary bond for more than 40 years. It was because of this latter relationship that I met Easton, who allowed me to be exposed to countless stories of Jamaica’s rich history, culture and social construct. He spoke about each area with knowledge, supported always by statistical data, reference sources or empirical evidence.
ACCURACY, WIT HELD LISTENERS CAPTIVE
Long before he reached the age at which it is excusable to disproportionately talk about one’s early life, Easton would recall historical events and experiences of national importance with such clarity and well-positioned perspective that there was no need for the electronic visual aids for one to get a feel of being transported back in time. The stories were typically shared with the unlikely combination of accuracy, reverence and wit, which held listeners captive with interest while he entertained, often resulting in the outpouring of contagious laughter. He could be quite funny and held his listeners’ attention with that distinctive timbre of his voice as he related the seemingly insignificant details of the story of the moment. Easton could, arguably, have had a career in academia or in a related area, because of the capacity of his intellect, thirst for understanding and passion for sharing information.
I am not sure if anyone was able to convince him to document his amazing journey in the same way that his siblings encouraged their own father to do. If that was done, then we can expect to read an absorbing memoir at a future date, but if it was not done, then we will all continue to cherish the many occasions on which we were able to hear or watch Easton Wentworth Xavier Douglas do so much, for so long, for so many.
LYNDEN NUGENT