Christopher Douglass

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Christopher Douglass, 28, a resident of Lisbon, died Saturday, May 31, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident en route to his next great adventure.

He was born on Aug. 25, 1979, in Farmington, the son of Jerry and Linda (Murphy) Douglass. Chris, an intensely "Free Spirit," achieved so much in his young life. Though taken from his loved ones too soon, he experienced more in this world than most people do in their lifetime.

From his expeditions across the country on wheels or on foot, to his marathons and ultras. A few of his many talents were finding hidden waterfalls, scheming the ultimate "thing you just don't do," film, photography, cooking a photo worthy meal, explaining his ideas in such depth you fully believed in them, motivating others to find their potential and turning any negative into the most positive you can imagine.

He found it impossible to remain comfortable - to him the goal was to be uncomfortable and watch the adventure unfold. On May 31, he was prepared for his next journey - a walk from Colorado to Maine (with no hitchhiking allowed). This was an effort to prove how small this world is and how obtainable any goal truly can be.

A strong will can survive the unimaginable. He will be thought of many times over as we enjoy what he lived to do; hiking (off trail), running, biking, meeting people, understanding individual hopes, listening and creating music or simply relaxing to the sounds of our world.

An inspiration to us is a quote from him; "the best I can figure is that we've been told too many times that adventure just isn't in the cards for everyday folk like you and I. It's reserved for the people we read about in books and magazines...not mere mortals like us. Well, I'm not buying it."

He is survived by his parents, Jerry and Linda Douglass of Lisbon; two brothers, Jerry Douglass Jr. and his wife, Annette, of Mechanic Falls and Dennis Douglass and his wife, Jody, of Lisbon; a sister, Bethany Douglass of Temple; close friends, Ame White of Denver, Colo., and Glen Giasson of Auburn; his grandfather, James Murphy of Jay; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and a great-niece.

He was predeceased by his grandmothers, Pearl Murphy and Grace Douglass; grandfather, Otis Douglass; and his best friend "Shiva."