GEORGE ROBINSON BARKER
JOYCE ADEL EDWARDS BARKER (1929-2020)
“The Gaggle” after 60 (June 2013)
How in the world did we make it this far? Well let’s take a look.
Preface George Robinson Barker (Bob, Dad, GP, @!!#$ %**) and Joyce Adele Edwards Barker (Joyce, Mom, Gram, Honey Pot), having just matriculated into nonagenarians and having celebrated their 66th anniversary on April 25th, 2019, look back in retrospect on a remarkable journey. To coherently articulate this journey requires (of course) a bit of memory, which all must admit (unlike fine wine) does not improve with age. Thankfully we have also archived many scanned slides and pictures in digital format. These pictures have proven to be remarkable “memory joggers” even though the documentation accompanying these pictures have been slight (if at all).
Where appropriate, pictures from the Internet have been included to enhance places and events where personal pictures are lacking, or local perspective is warranted. The introduction for this work represents the early years of Bob Barker and Joyce Edwards before marriage. The events are recounted in historic and geographical context to provide the proper period perspective. While pictures and memories are a bit sketchy during this period, we believe enough insight can be presented to see the parallel development of the two principals making this journey. As has been noted above, we have been acknowledged by several “handles” (names) through the years. During the early days, through the wedding and until our first birth, we were merely Joyce and Bob. When Karen was born in 1954, we became Mom and Dad, and when her first born (Alaina) showed up in September 1981, we instantly became Gram and GP. As to great grandkids (we now have several) I guess I will be GP² or considering age perhaps √GP Other name clarifications or shortenings have occurred throughout time and will be described at that point, some decades are loaded with activities and others not. We will take them as they come, and hope you enjoy the journey, and think you will find that we “couldn’t make this stuff up”.