DUANE
Duane's take
Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Now, picture West Texas in 1883 — wide open, wind-scoured, and about as far from a doctor's office as a man could get. Into Colorado City rides a young physician fresh out of the University of Louisville, Kentucky, born all the way back in Tennessee.
His name was Dr. Preston C. Coleman, and he had apparently decided that if people needed him, he was going to find them.
On horseback. By buggy. Across a hundred-mile radius of ranch country.
Every direction, every season, every kind of emergency that a frontier medicine bag could be asked to handle. And here's the thing — he never left. Colorado City became his home for the rest of his life, and he poured himself into it like a man who believed every hour counted.
Because he did. Religion, medicine, and education — that was the trinity he lived by. He served as surgeon for the Texas and Pacific Railroad, which in that era meant you were the doctor for some of the hardest-working men in the state.
He rose to President of the Texas Medical Association, serving in 1895 and 1896. He became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. In his church, he served as Elder.
And in 1930, he stood as Moderator of the Texas Presbyterian Synod — which is about as high a trust as that body could place in a man. He was a Trustee of Austin College up in Sherman from 1906 all the way through 1931. He served as Vice President for Life of the West Texas Chamber of Commerce.
The man was, by any measure, everywhere at once. But the title that seems to have followed him most, the one that says the most about how his neighbors understood him — was this one: 'Father of Texas Tech University.' The marker doesn't elaborate, and maybe it doesn't need to. Some honors carry their own weight.
A doctor who rode a hundred miles in any direction just to be where he was needed — turns out, the whole region was his patient.
What the marker says
Born in Tennessee. Graduated from University of Louisville (Ky.). Coming in 1883 to Colorado City, rode horseback or by buggy to ranches in 100-mile radius, practicing here rest of his life. Religion, medicine, and education were his chief concerns. He was a Texas & Pacific Railroad surgeon; 1895-96 President, Texas Medical Association; a Fellow, American College of Surgeons; an Elder in his church; Moderator, 1930, Texas Presbyterian Synod; Trustee 1906-31, Austin College (Sherman); Vice President for Life, West Texas Chamber of Commerce; was called "Father of Texas Tech University". (1972)