# 96 Iguana John speaks about his early life.

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We lost Iguana John Thursday morning, May 23. 
He died from heart failure at the Community Hospital. 

John was born John Carlin in January of 1956. Many of us here in Big Sur have been touched by John. He did indeed have an Iguana on his shoulder for many years. Both his parents were deaf so John signed fluent ALS (American sign language). He lived for many years at Kay Shorts house in Coastlands, he also lived on Pfeiffer Ridge and for the past several years he was the caretaker at the Henry Miller Library. Seeing him sign with deaf guests at the library is unforgettable. He came to life with the love of 'speaking' in the way he knew so well. We love John and we miss him.

John leaves behind his sister Sheryl Pierce, his brother Paul Carlin, and his niece Nicole Burnett.

At the time of writing this there's no plan yet for a memorial gathering. If and when that happens it will be announced on Big Sur local social media sites.

The audio you hear is John and Magnus driving to the hospital at a previous occasion.

/Magnus

PS.
John lived in his van for the past 12 years or so. He was a war veteran, a short stint in Vietnam. He had little Buddha’s and prayer flags placed inside his van in several places. He thought of a spiritual realm through the teachings of the Buddha.

Portrait of John by Dan Bern

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This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County!

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