It was July 19, 1969, I had returned home on leave after serving overseas in the Navy. I was looking forward to dating some Christian ladies from my youth group at Rialto Community Baptist Church, now called Sunrise. My mom suggested I give Barbara Jones a call and I did. Barbara is the daughter of my fourth grade Sunday school teacher, Clinton T. Jones. We talked on the phone for a while then I asked her out for a date.
When I drove to her house to pick her up, she opened the door and I was awestruck! This was the woman that I had been praying for! My goal was to have a Proverbs 31 wife. This was the day that changed my life 51 years ago! Barbara has been more than I had ever hoped for, except for eternal life I have in Jesus Christ. She truly is the greatest gift that God has ever given me. She is a born again believer in Jesus Christ, a devoted wife, a tremendous mother, grandmother, and my life time partner that I will spend eternity with.
On October 30, 1969, I asked her to marry me. She told me that I had to ask her dad. He said, “Yes” and he welcomed me to the family. Still serving my commitment to military service, I was deployed for 9 months during our engagement. We were married one month after I returned home on December 4, 1971. This year we will celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. I am so thankful for this wonderful wife God has given me.
Barbara was an integral part of my time in the Navy. She taught at a Christian school for 20 years, worked at the Pregnancy Resource Center in San Bernardino as their Office Manager and now serves on their Board of Directors as Vice-Chairman. She is currently serving as Administrative Assistant for our church, Judson Baptist, in San Bernardino, CA.
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