It all started at a Memphis In May sanctioned contest in Moultrie, Georgia. I was sitting on the bleachers waiting for finals results when "Doc" sat down beside me. He was there covering the event for the National Barbecue News, the nations first news paper dedicated to barbecue. At that time, "Doc" was the editor and he did one heck of a lot more than that. We quickly became friends and it was through "Doc" that I was introduced to the Kansas City Barbecue Society. "Doc" had mentioned that the Blue Ridge Festival in Tryon, NC was his favorite barbecue contest and that he really enjoyed judging KCBS events. At that time, I was a MIM certified judge, and had never heard of KCBS. Well, somehow I got invited to judge Tryon with "Doc" that year and it was the beginning of a long relationship. Shortly thereafter I attended KCBS judging school in, of all places, Memphis, TN.
Our friendship led me to become a regular contributor for the Barbecue News and later at "Doc's" request, I took over the job of web master for the then fledgling web site. These tasks generated numerous occasions for me to spend hours on the phone with "Doc" and to make frequent trips to beautiful Douglas, Georgia. I have been honored to have slept in Francis's and "Docs" beautiful home, to have traveled far enough back on the Gillis property to have seen the "TeePee", and to have been invited to "the river!" "There ain't much better than that!" I will admitt that "Doc's" infatuation with toy guns led me to spend a small fortune on a set of "Stallion 45s" that "Doc" approved of. Let me tell you friends; "Doc was tough when it came to good "Q" and toy guns. The two gun holster set I had made were big enough to fit both "Doc" and I. No, not at the same time! We had a lot of fun practicing our quick draw!
Oh Lord, I do miss my friend!
Clif
"Doc" with Gene and Betty Lastinger. The day in 1997 I met "Doc" at Moultrie In March!
Art Roberts, "Doc", AngelPig and me at Memphis In May 1998!
"Doc", Francis, Me, Pat and Gary Kerce after the Jack Daniels 2000!
"Doc" and youngest son Donnie "at the river!"
Francis, "Doc" and Joe Phelps at the NBBQA Convention!
