In a blaze of glory, Texas style

In this favorite photo by Lorlee, Big Tex appears to be
bouncing the moon in his left hand.

 A sad note has been received by these offices from our correspondent in the outer reaches of our coverage area, Dallas, Texas.
Lorlee Bartos ruefully reports the fiery demise of Big Tex, the iconic figure towering over the Texas State Fair. Big Tex has been a regular subject of Lorlee's photographic endeavors over the years. The Alexandria farm girl is a regular visitor to her adopted state's annual agricultural exposition, and she never failed to give Big Tex a nod. But now he is gone.
Big Tex was outfitted with loudspeakers and would address fairgoers with cheerful, jaunty messages. We're unaware of any conversations Big Tex has had with Lorlee, but doubtless she now regrets not saying more to him the last time they were together. You just never know.

In her final photo of Big Tex
the day before his demise,
Lorlee shows him pushing the
Texas Tower.

A complete autopsy has yet to be turned in by the fire department, so the cause is to be determined, but his end was swift and public, observed by stunned fun seekers left shaking their heads over how unexpected it all was. Now only memories and millions of photographs remain, as well as a video or two taken of Big Tex in his final hour. His charred remains were borne away in a canvas sarcophagus, and he is with his maker in Plano, Texas.
Our sympathies, Lorlee.
For her part, Lorlee is taking the loss philosophically, she quips:
"Every year they have a contest for the best new fried food at the State Fair -- this year they went just a little too far."

Photo credit: Krista Kalla