James "Buddy" Barker Jr.

Hey Buddy.
You were one of my favorite shipmates out of all of the ships I served on.
It was a pleasure working with you in the Repair Office. I was really sad to hear that you passed. I know you had a big heart and you're enjoying your time in Heaven.
I hope to see you again one day.

Deepest sympathy to Buddy's family and friends. Buddy and I would be 2nd Cousins. We had some great times playing, eating, singing, and running around as kids at birthday and anniversary parties for our Great Grandparents Bill and Mary Mason Barker. Several years ago Buddy and I reconnected on Facebook. We had a great time reminiscing about family events and relatives in our lives. Sometimes Buddy would call so we could talk rather than type. I asked Buddy if he could remember the song we sang at the 60th and maybe 65 wedding anniversaries for our Great Grandparents. Buddy couldn't recall, but when I reminded him the song was Billy Boy-- I got an unforgettable solo:

"Oh, where have you been, Billy Boy, Billy Boy, Oh, where have you been charming Billy? I have been to seek a wife, she´s the joy of my life, She´s a young thing and cannot leave her mother. 2. Did she ask you to come in, Billy Boy, Billy Boy, Did she ask you to come in, charming Billy? Yes, she asked me to come in, there´s a dimple in her chin, She´s a young thing and cannot leave her mother. 3. Can she make a cherry pie, Billy Boy, Billy Boy, Can she make a cherry pie, charming Billy? She can make a cherry pie, quick as you can wink an eye, She´s a young thing and cannot leave her mother."

Once Buddy was reminded of the song, he was on track and key. Just remarkable. I am gutted that we missed getting together. I will work on finding some photos of those family gatherings from long ago.

Buddy's Grandpa Jim, my Grandpa Ken, and our Great Grandparents Bill and Mary Mason Barker in front of their homestead shanty in Denton, Montana.