Gerald "Jerk" Barham and I were cousins on my mothers side of the family. My grandmother's maiden name was Barham. He was not only my cousin, he was my friend. When he was in FFA, he would take me to No Trees with him to slop hogs. He always threatened to throw the slop on me. Thankfully he never followed through. He dated my good friend Virgie Lou Smith for a while. I talked to he and his wife before one of the reunions begging him to come to Odessa....I do not know why, but he did not. The next I heard was that he had died. I still cannot believe he is no longer here. I think of him often and will always miss him.
"Jerk" and I are proud graduates of Notrees Elementary School, class of 1952. He and I, along with Jim Tom Covington were "best" friends back then; but that summer we moved to Odessa and I went to Bowie and Jerk went to Crockett. Few probably know where Jerk got his nickname. Well, Notrees Elementary had six grades but only three teachers. Each teacher taught two grades - at the same time, in the same room. Mr. Miller was the 5th & 6th grade teacher, principal, scout leader, and all around mentor to all us boys. One day something happened, I don't remember exactly what, and Mr. Miller said that Gerald was "as tough as jerky!" And of course, we all started calling him "Jerky" which eventually was shortened to just Jerk! So now you know.
Linda Sides
Gerald "Jerk" Barham and I were cousins on my mothers side of the family. My grandmother's maiden name was Barham. He was not only my cousin, he was my friend. When he was in FFA, he would take me to No Trees with him to slop hogs. He always threatened to throw the slop on me. Thankfully he never followed through. He dated my good friend Virgie Lou Smith for a while. I talked to he and his wife before one of the reunions begging him to come to Odessa....I do not know why, but he did not. The next I heard was that he had died. I still cannot believe he is no longer here. I think of him often and will always miss him.George Hollis
"Jerk" and I are proud graduates of Notrees Elementary School, class of 1952. He and I, along with Jim Tom Covington were "best" friends back then; but that summer we moved to Odessa and I went to Bowie and Jerk went to Crockett. Few probably know where Jerk got his nickname. Well, Notrees Elementary had six grades but only three teachers. Each teacher taught two grades - at the same time, in the same room. Mr. Miller was the 5th & 6th grade teacher, principal, scout leader, and all around mentor to all us boys. One day something happened, I don't remember exactly what, and Mr. Miller said that Gerald was "as tough as jerky!" And of course, we all started calling him "Jerky" which eventually was shortened to just Jerk! So now you know.