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Jeff B. | profile | all galleries >> Northwest Bucket List >> Washington >> Mountain View Cemetery - X Tombstone tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Mountain View Cemetery - X Tombstone

Walla Walla, WA

Sterling Hallard Bright Drake, in a short documentary about his tombstone in 2012 said he was dying from diabetes. He was a child prodigy, fondly remembered in his hometown of Walla Walla for building rockets (one, "X-Caliber," is engraved on the tombstone, crossed with a glowing broadsword).

Drake was living in California at the time the film was made, and said he had no living friends and that the uniquely shaped tombstone serves as a placeholder: "X marks the spot." He also claimed that he had no idea that the cemetery would place it so prominently -- it's just inside the entrance -- and that his original idea for his memorial was a drinking fountain.

"Lady Gwinavier," who is mentioned prominently on the tombstone, was Drake's beloved Schnauzer.
Mountain View Cemetery - X Tombstone
Mountain View Cemetery - X Tombstone
Mountain View Cemetery - X Tombstone
Mountain View Cemetery - X Tombstone
Mountain View Cemetery - X Tombstone
Mountain View Cemetery - X Tombstone
Mountain View Cemetery - X Tombstone
Mountain View Cemetery - X Tombstone