Obituary of Douglas Clark McNatton

Douglas Clark McNatton (Doug) 68 of Montecito, CA passed away on August 9th, 2023 in his home from a long illness.  He was born April 25,1955 in Evansville, Indiana to James and Lillian McNatton.  Douglas graduated from Davies’s County High School and earned a BA degree from Brescia University.  

 

It wasn’t until later in life that Douglas followed his passion and studied the Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wells in Charleston, SC.  From this he became a most talented trained chef and ultimately Private Chef.

 

To know Douglas was to love him.  Even as an adult Douglas remained a big kid with an even bigger heart.  He adored his friends, family and his cat Sailor.  His favorite song was Deacon Blue by Steely Dan.  He loved being near water be it a turquoise pool or deep blue ocean.  Douglas was always the first in line for the diving board.  Douglas loved life and an adventure.  Through these adventures he got to experience many wonderful things and meet so many beautiful people.

 

Though Douglas resided in California for many years he held his southern roots and his family close to his heart.  Every Summer he would visit his family in Kentucky.  He loved his sweet tea, farm stand tomatoes and rummaging through a dusty antique store.  On these many visits with his family you would find him in the kitchen preparing a feast of his favorite southern foods.  A few of his specialties was his fried chicken and his renowned Shrimp & Grits and his Mom’s Coconut Cake.

 

Douglas had a keen eye for design, he had the ability to find a diamond in the rough and he eventually brought this talent to the kitchen where he cooked for many celebrities, and well known families.  Including his beloved John Saladino a renowned Architect and Interior designer who resides in Montecito.  

 

Like many people who were lucky enough to know Douglas John Saladino, Sheila Lambert and his dear Javier Acosta were there for Douglas to the very end, loving and supporting him.  

Douglas is survived by his siblings, Stephen McNatton and his wife Vivian, Gary McNatton and his partner Michael Bodziner, Elizabeth Akers, Lisa Cooley and her husband Robert Cooley.  Nephew Stephen W. McNatton and wife Beth, Nieces Mary Beth Beaver, Bailey Akers, Macy Hooks and Husband Patrick Hooks.

 

Douglas will forever be in our hearts.

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