am Jon Allen Barker and I was born on May 30, 1944. My dad is Carl Barker and my mother is Ada Ester Cain Barker, both now deceased. I have an older sister, Joyce Faye Barker McCauley, who lives between Longview and Hallsville, Texas.

I grew up in the East Texas oil field in the small town of Carlisle which later became Price, Texas. Our parents were kind and loving and provided us with all the necessities even though they didn’t have a lot themselves. They encouraged us to get a good education and managed to send us both to college.

I remember with fondness growing up in that rural area of East Texas. As a boy my favorite activities outside of school were riding bicycles, playing cowboys and Indians, and fishing. The summers, back then, were just the most wonderful time and always seemed too short. That was also when we spent more time at Black Lake visiting with family and fishing. I also loved “helping” my dad with carpentry work and working in his garden. He was always very patient and I never remember him getting angry with me. He left it to my mother to discipline me and I know she gave me many a well-deserved spanking. The only time that we ever moved was when my dad built a new house which was right next door to our old house. I wrote about that adventure in an earlier newsletter. My sister, Joyce, was usually very good to me even though I was a brat most of the time. When she was dating Ramon (Poog), they would take me swimming, to movies, boating, and picnicking. I remember when Poog was into building and flying model airplanes. I would help him with the launch but was too young to fly them. But it was very exciting to watch and some of them crashed. I think I had a fantasy about flying them that I think Donny can remember.

After graduating from high school in 1962, I attended Tyler Jr. College for two years on a band scholarship. To attend TJC, I lived at home and rode the bus sixty miles each day, which provided a lot of study time. I graduated from TJC in 1964 and went to the University of Texas at Austin to complete my Bachelor’s degree. It was in my first year at UT that I finally figured out what I wanted to do and picked a major. I took a class in computer programming and decided that was for me. Computers were in their infancy at that time and a single computer could take up a whole room and required massive amounts of cooling. Some were even water-cooled. Who could guess that they would become small enough to fit on a fingernail? Later there was a young man named Dell at UT that started building PC’s in his garage. I wish I could have had a little more foresight.

It was in my second year at UT that things really got interesting! I had three roommates at UT and we decided to move to the other side of campus to some nicer apartments called Manor House. Now you might say it was luck but I believe it was divine guidance from above, for that was where I met the love of my life, Sylvia Ann Bruns. Simply the very best thing that has ever happened to me, she is my north star who has kept me on track for all these years. We dated until I graduated in the summer of ‘66 and I got a job with Lockheed at NASA in Houston. We continued to date long distance, for she still lived and worked in Austin, until 1969. She prodded me to make a decision and I did. It was surely the best decision I have ever made and we married on May 31, 1969.

From that decision came our two daughters, who are the best things that could have happened for the two of us. They are Beverly Barker Van Geffen and Kristy Barker Scott who are now married to two fine young men, Russ Van Geffen and Brian Scott, respectively. Beverly is a physical therapist working for Christus Santa Rosa Hospital in San Antonio and Kristy will graduate from Texas State University with a masters degree in biology this August.

And to make a long story short (or a little shorter), I worked on computers for Lockheed for 35 years in Houston, Austin, California, Denver, and Maryland. We both retired to San Antonio in the Fall of 2002 and now live within 30 minutes of both our daughters. And I hope this part of the story is just beginning.

Our first home was on the south side of Houston and both girls were born while we lived there. Then during the first months of ’79 we devoted our lives to building our home in Friendswood. We had purchased 2 acres of land and had thought that this would be “home” for years to come. Three years later Jon discovered Lockheed had purchased land and was developing a “site” in Austin! We couldn’t have been happier when they flew him out to California and he accepted a position with Lockheed in Austin. By October ’82, they had us packed up and moved us to Buda, Texas—south of Austin. That was further away from East Texas and Jon’s family but we were closer to Gonzales and my family ties. The subdivision we moved to was a new, growing rural area in which Beverly and Kristy made many new friendships. Our lives were very busy with the children’s school activities, Girl Scouts, dance, gymnastics and of course our church activities in Buda. Time passed quickly and before we knew it Beverly was graduating from Jack C. Hays High School in the top 10% of her class. She then attended Southwest Texas in San Marcos. To our surprise and disappointment we learned Lockheed Martin (Lockheed had merged with Martin Marietta) were closing the Austin site and relocating employees to Colorado or Pennsylvania. We were going to Denver, Colorado.

Jon reported to work March 1996 in Denver. Kristy was a senior due to graduate in May. Beverly was graduating from college in May. The first of May I quit my job as office manager of a physical therapy clinic (I had been working there for 6 years) and devoted the month to preparing for our move and the girls’ graduations! It was a very busy time for all of us. Beverly moved home to Buda and then prepared to move to Denver with Jon and I. Kristy had decided not to move with us but to stay in Texas and enter Southwest Texas in the fall. Her best friend invited her to “move-in” with her family in Buda. Within 2 weeks at the end of May—Beverly graduated from SWT, Kristy graduated from Jack C. Hays High School (#4 in her class!), our house sold and the packers and movers came. Jon had flown in from Colorado for the girls’ graduations so we were all (Beverly in her car and Jon and I in my car) able to drive back to Colorado together. Bev’s stay with us was short as she accepted a job at Health South Rehab Hospital and had to return to Austin during July.

Our stay in Denver was only a temporary one through the summer because Jon had accepted a “TDY” job for a year at Ft. Meade, Maryland. With this move we stored most of our household and took only what a U-Haul trailer would hold to go across the country to Maryland. We enjoyed our year in the Baltimore/Washington D.C. areas. We were able to travel to see friends in Pennsylvania and on to New York City and many trips to Washington D.C. as family and friends came to visit.

October 1997 brought us back to Denver (Littleton, Colorado to be exact) where our townhouse had been built while we were in Maryland. During the next 5 years we enjoyed the cool Colorado summers but were not fond of those snowy winters. Although the winters were not that bad, it seemed as if they would never end! Family and friends were keeping us on the move to see the mountains and other points of interest around Denver as they came through for visits. To help me pass time while we were out of Texas, I became a Target “team member” until April 2003.

Those years in Colorado brought sadness and joy. Both of my parents passed away within a year of each other and Kristy graduated from SWT majoring in biology, with a minor in chemistry and Beverly graduated with her master’s in Physical Therapy. She also was married in August 1999 to Russ Van Geffen. There were several weddings of children of friends and events of family that we were unable to attend because of being out of state.

With the added years of service with Lockheed Martin, Jon was able to retire January 1, 2003. We moved back to Texas in October 2002 and settled on a subdivision north of San Antonio and outside Loop 1604 in the Texas hill country. We are about 30 minutes from Kristy and Brian (They were married May 31, 2003—their picture was in Volume #3, Issue #3) and 15 minutes from Beverly and Russ. Kristy will be getting her Master’s in Biology in August from Texas State (former SWT). Her husband Brian Scott graduated with his Master’s in Biology this past December and is working at Ambion, a research facility in Austin. Since retirement our main enjoyment has been to take our 30 ft. Sunnybrook fifth wheel trailer over to Lake LBJ and do some fishing and just enjoy “being on the lake”! Last August finally came time for our long awaited cruise to Alaska! We truly enjoyed every minute of our trip with Princess cruise line. Then before returning to Texas our son-in-law’s Mother and her husband, who live in the Seattle area, were our “tour guides” for an extended 3 days in that area. We plan to do more traveling and visit more of our friends and family over the country and as Jon said hopefully “this is just the beginning”!

One fond memory I have, although at the time I thought it was torture, was when my parents bought a new Honda Accord (small 4 door sedan) and hauled my sister and I across the country for a "vacation." I was 13 years old and hanging out in a car with my "bratty" little sister (Kristy was 9 at the time) and my "nerdy" parents was NOT my idea of a fun time. But it was summer and my parents (Jon and Sylvia, or "Noj" and "Sly," as my husband has nicknamed them) thought having a 2-week summer drive to Hoover dam and back would be great. I think they forgot they had a teenager with them.... My dad and I argued the entire time (my mom thinks it is because we are just too much alike: stubborn, always right, etc, etc.). We first drove to Carlsbad Caverns, NM, and then we drove to the Grand Canyon. All along the way, my mom and dad had picked out some real winners of motels to stay in. One motel was such a dive we were scared to walk around without shoes and socks. Then we finally made it to Arizona and the Grand Canyon and they took us horseback riding during a thunderstorm through the ponderosa pines. This was fun for me, because I was "boy" crazy and found a "cowboy" to flirt with—at least I admit these things!

Well, the trip continued and we even spent one night in Las Vegas. This was the ONLY time I have ever been there... and we stayed at Circus Circus. All I remember is getting in trouble at the hotel because we walked through the lobby, which was actually a casino. I got in trouble because I was too young to be there. Then we went to Colorado and rode the train to Silverton and Durango. After that we headed to Canyon, TX and saw the play "Texas, " which I highly recommend. And we rode the "Sad Monkey Railroad" in Palo Duro Canyon and it was a very sad and pathetic ride through the hot desert. I have now heard they since shut that down, thank the Lord!!! Then we had a melt down at the Pizza Hut in Dumas, TX. The tension between dad and I had been building after spending hours and hours in that car. Then, we had Pizza and we all laughed about something, I have no idea what. We all laughed so hard we cried. That helped us all to relieve the tension. But dad left his sunglasses there and if I remember correctly, I think we had to drive back to that panhandle town just to get them.

Now that I am older I know that many people were not as fortunate as my sister and I were. Many did not have a loving family that planned trips and spent time with them. Also, that many people did not have any money or time to travel as we were blessed to have growing up. I love my childhood. I loved growing up in Buda, Texas and having a wonderful group of friends and family always surrounding me and loving me. I have nothing but fond memories.

I also have such fond memories of Pop (dad's dad, Carl Barker). Unfortunately, I never got to know Mom (Ada Cain Barker) very well, as she died when I was only 6 yrs. old. But I have seen pictures of her as a young lady and I think we have similar figures and I think we would have gotten along really well. But I adored my Pop. He was so calm and even-tempered and a loving man. My dad had nothing but wonderful things to say about this godly man. He lived a simple and humble life. And as a widower he always had all the widow ladies cooking for him and doting over him. He loved the Lord and his family dearly and I remember him having leukemia and never complaining of pain or fatigue. I only wish I could have had him here longer to get to know him now, as I am an adult. He went to be with Jesus when I was 13 yrs. old. I missed him greatly for a long while and I look forward to seeing him again one day in our eternal home.

God is good and faithful and through our forefathers and foremothers, we have been sooooo blessed. I know that I am who I am today because of their hard work, and their faithfulness to the Lord and their prayers for me. I love that country song by the Dixie Chicks that says, "I am Rosemary's granddaughter, " (although I don't agree with their political views). That song says it all.... I know who I am because of who they were and how I have been raised. That is why I love this newsletter, because we must always remember our family roots, and our GREAT country's roots, as well! God bless America and everyone working on and reading this newsletter.

My parents deserve their new, relaxed lifestyle. My Dad worked tirelessly throughout the years to provide for his family. Not only did he provide for us but also he went the extra mile to ensure we would have a great future. You have all heard the saying that "parents always want better for their children," well my Father has made it very difficult for me to fulfill that dream for my family. Not only was Dad a diligent provider, but also he is a wonderful and loving Father. He IS always there for us!! We can always count on him for anything we may need.

My mother is a great, maternal Mom. My mom is a lot like her mother, which believe me, is a great compliment. She embodies true love and kindness. She is a wonderful friend. She will be there to support and help you anytime, anywhere. We have fun gardening and cooking together, a couple of traits I picked up from her.

As I get older I am proud of the traits I see in myself that I inherited from my parents. They are wonderful people; I am proud to be their daughter.

Jon retired a little early which gives them the freedom to do the things they enjoy doing. They are usually on the lake fishing or an occasional cruise—just the fun things while they are both in good health. While at home they enjoy having cookouts, etc., with their girls and families. They are fortunate that Beverly and Russ, Kristy and Brian live close enough to visit and do things together.

Bev is enjoying working as a physical therapist and her husband, Russ, is a patrolman with the San Antonio Police Department. He is going to take the test for becoming a detective within the next few months.

Kristy’s husband, Brian, has been going to school for several years, and is awaiting to hear from medical schools. Looks like Jon and Sylvia will have a doctor in the family.

I think I’ve said before that Jon is the best brother anyone could have and I’ll say it again! We love to visit them whenever possible.

By: Joyce Barker McCauley—Sister

An older brother and our cousin, Jon,

Can you imagine what grief they could

Give a younger sister and cousin?

It seems I remember a pillow fight,

Feathers everywhere,

A light bulb socket hanging loose

In MY room, upstairs.

How could I forget a BB gun

Aimed at ME,

A sharp pain in my big toe

And my disbelief?

They were a courageous two,

Leaving the house armed with

Pocket knives, only to return

shortly, scared, to the safety of the house.

Too much mischief to recall,

But Thanks be to God,

He saw it all and

With His help, Jon turned out well.

When I think of Jon’s younger years, I always think of Donnie and some of their escapades. Both of them have written about some of those in previous newsletters, but probably there are more they haven’t mentioned—yet. Maybe we’ll hear more in future issues.

Jon and Sylvia are such a joy to be with and I feel a closeness to them even though we don’t get to be with them. They both have a great sense of humor and I really enjoy each visit when it’s possible to get together.

I remember when Beverly was born. Ada and Carl had been to see them and then came to Beaumont for Carl to do some work on our house. While they were here Mom and Ada sat in our living room and shelled pecans and visited while Carl worked.

I didn’t get to see Beverly and Kristy very much but I wish I could have. They seemed like such sweet girls when we saw them at our family reunion in Farmerville. I know they are both married now and I hope they are very happy.

It’s hard to believe Jon is old enough to be retired. I know I am several years older than them and I’ve been retired nearly twenty years and they have been happy years for me. So, Jon and Sylvia, just stay busy and the time will fly by.

I do know that Jon was greatly loved. His Mom and Dad had lost a precious little boy in death a few years earlier. He was so fat and sweet and I loved to play with him. The best I recall, we called him “Waynie Boy”. Then Jon came along. God gave Ada and Carl another chance to raise a little boy.

Occasionally, Ada would bring Jon down to visit with us. Joyce, his sister, was older and had gone on to other things. By this time, Becky was here and she and Jon played together. Becky, our daughter, was an attendant in his wedding when he and Sylvia were married.

Jon educated himself and provided well for his family. He and Sylvia have two lovely daughters who are now married. Jon has joined the ranks of our retired family members.