A very nice email from Kathy Weeks to share:
"I just thought I'd let you know the celebration of Barry's life last Saturday turned out very well.
"I don't think I told you this - Barry's best friends Jeff "Titus" Bloedorn, D(ick) Wier, and Andy "SlimSix" Siechen got together and put our 1940 Chevy Pick up back together and running for the Celebration of Barry's life. That truck had been sitting apart in the garage for almost 20 years. It was one of the nicest gifts anyone could have given me, and Barry. A true tribute of friendship, plus good medicine for these three grieving guys. They drove it the celebration, and everyone there had their heart warmed to see the '40 running once again - it brought back really good memories.
"I've attached a picture of the guys with the '40 all put back together. I'll see if I can find a before photo (the engine was on an engine stand for years, the front clip was in the box of the truck). [
Need help getting that pix in here but will get 'er done, as Alvin says.]
"I rented a pole building at our local county fair grounds so that I would have plenty of parking space and room for our friends, neighbors and family to enjoy the time without being squished inside (as a funeral home), and we parked the 1940 inside as the center/focus. The weather was perfect and quite a few friends drove their rods and set up a small show of sorts outside building. I designed and produced 25 memory boards with pictures of Barry's younger days spent at his grandma & grandpa's in Hibbing, MN, of him and his friends buying their first street rod projects, and of mine and Barry's life over 39 years together. I only had one picture easel, so I hung the boards on all sides of several ladders, so everyone had a chance to view them. I had a cold buffet catered by a friend of a friend of ours (deli meats, rolls, potato salad). I found out later, the owner of the catering business owns a 1932 Ford coupe. Andy "SlimSix" brought soda pop, and one of our friends supplied a keg of beer (only half got used - we're not big drinkers, but a cold pint is always welcome). Everyone said it turned out just how Barry would've wanted it - stories told between friends, casual food, and comfortable/rustic atmosphere. I believe everyone left with good memories, and peace, which was my goal. It is sad - I may never see some of our friends/Barry's friends ever again, but it was good to see them all in one place one more time.
"I still feel like I'm in a nightmare, but I'm getting through it with the help of family and friends. One of Barry's best friends, [censored] Wier, helped show me how to use the lawn mower yesterday, I could hear Barry laughing a little at me, but I think he'd be proud of me too, and I really think he's still here from time to time helping me as well.
"Andy took pictures of Barry's celebration, so hopefully he'll post those for you soon, with his take on the celebration. I know he is devastated by the loss of his friend Barry, and I know working on the 1940 pick up was good medicine for Andy, Jeff and [censored]. They worked several week nights and weekends on the truck, and had mixed emotions once the truck was running - hoping Barry would be glad to see it running once again. I think he'd be pleased.
"Sorry to ramble on in this email, Peggy.... it feels like I'm another step up the ladder, and have many more rungs to climb ahead of me.
~Kathy
Kathy has been catching up with emails. Hope things are smoothing out for her. We came across yet another reference to Barry that week. A fellow who bought The first Stovebolt truck (ours/1993) contacted us. Some fun comments about Barry's help on getting the site started at the bottom of the Gallery story that Kathy enjoyed. 
Thoughts and prayers continue to go out to Kathy. Appreciate that she stays in touch. 
