"I've attached a couple more photos of Barry - one in our front yard with his beloved dog Chopper, and one at Iola Swap meet and car show (we both went to Iola swap meet for 30 years in a row - took back roads all the way there and back every year). The third one is the most recent photo I have of Barry (it was taken on his birthday last year (Feb 15, 2020)"
John
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." Will Rogers
"I'm catching up on emails. I clicked the link you provided, and see the photos of Barry, and even the celebration/memorial invite posted by Andy Siechen.
"Thank you ever so much for this, and for keeping Barry's memory there. I still can't believe he's gone, and each day is still hard for me, and I know it's still hard for all of our friends, and those people who depended on him as a resource or just to shoot the breeze.
"Our friends Andy, (Richard) and Jeff are working on getting our 1940 pick up running for the celebration on May 14th. It's going to be a nice surprise for my family and our friends to see the '40, because it's been sitting in pieces inside the garage for almost 20 years - time flies.
"I can't tell you enough how much it means to me, and our friends on the Stovebolt, to have your friendship and support, and communication. Thank you ever so much.
~ Kathy Weeks
We are hoping that Andy can do a "Hot Wash" for us after the Celebration of Barry's life, scheduled for May 14. ~~ Peg
Peggy M Everything I need to know I learned in Kindergarten: (1) Share ~ Robert Fulghum "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words, and that which cannot remain silent." ~ Victor Hugo / 'Les Misérables'
In more of my cleanup, I came across yet another reference to Barry that you may enjoy or remember: How to Restore Your Chevrolet Pickup
Probably the most dog-eared, grease-stained, battle-scarred book in my library is the same as yours. Since 1993, when I grabbed it from a rack at my favorite bookstore like a strung-out junkie fiercly clutching his next hit, it has been my constant companion through one and a half frame-off restorations of battered, old Stovebolts. Through its pages of inspiration, I met Barry Weeks and a few other Stovebolt noteables ... Read the rest of John's book review in our Features Section.
Peggy M Everything I need to know I learned in Kindergarten: (1) Share ~ Robert Fulghum "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words, and that which cannot remain silent." ~ Victor Hugo / 'Les Misérables'
Hi all! I was finally able to get a few photos of Barry's celebration uploaded to a Goggle album for sharing. May 14th was a definite "top 10" weather day. A perfect day to be with family and friends to celebrate Barry's life. Kathy had been working on many picture boards and had them all up for us to enjoy. Great food and drinks were out for everyone and I'm sure nobody went home hungry! We got Barry and Kathy's '40 Chevy pickup back up and running and had it set up for people to check out. We also had a great time checking out all the cool rides that people showed up with and just talking and hanging out.
I think this is just how Barry would've wanted to spend a beautiful Minnesota spring day!
"The Operation of GMC trucks is normally smooth and steady, with no loud rattling, knocking or unusual noises. A good driver will quickly become accustomed to driving a GMC truck and will get the feel of his vehicle regardless of his engineering knowledge."-TM10-1563
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne 4dr 230 I-6 one owner (I’m #2) “Emily” ‘39 Dodge Businessmans Coupe “Clarence”
"I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
Thanks for posting these Slim. Those large posters with the trucks were really neat to see. Plus, the nice line up of old iron.
Looked like a wonderful Celebration of Barry's life. Lots of smiles.
Peg
Peggy M Everything I need to know I learned in Kindergarten: (1) Share ~ Robert Fulghum "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words, and that which cannot remain silent." ~ Victor Hugo / 'Les Misérables'
I didn’t personally know Barry. Reading his story and shared comments and stories over the past couple months, shows the friendships and respect that he earned, simply, by being a simple, caring, man! Thanks to all that shared and allowed me to know Barry, even in his unfortunate passing! Jim
"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, censored 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.
Last edited by Peggy M; Mon Jun 27 2022 03:54 PM. Reason: Added the pix again ... to go with email :)
Peggy M Everything I need to know I learned in Kindergarten: (1) Share ~ Robert Fulghum "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words, and that which cannot remain silent." ~ Victor Hugo / 'Les Misérables'
