Barkley, Judith C.

Judith C. Barkley, 72, of San Diego, Calif., formerly of Marion, died peacefully at her home on July 7, 2013. A Celebration of Life will be Friday, July 12, in San Diego.

Judith “Judy” was born in Cherokee, Iowa on Dec. 28, 1940, to O.K. “Jack” Barkley and Inez (Fredenburg) Barkley. Judy graduated from Marion High School in l958 and from Phillips University in Enid, Okla., with a BA degree. After teaching a year of junior high school English, she realized it wasn't the challenge or career she hoped for. Judy set off for Texas Christian University to pursue a master's degree in English. While still in school at TCU, Judy was offered a teaching position at Grossmont College in El Cajon, Calif.

Never one to stop broadening her horizons, Judy attended many different college classes over the years. Judy's father, Jack, teased her that once she started Kindergarten, she never quit going to school. Judy did earn a master's degree in counseling from San Diego State University in the 1990s.

Judy's teaching career spanned over 35 years at Grossmont before retiring due to declining health.

Judy is survived by a sister, Barbara Barkley (Jim Klipping) of Marion; special cousins, Donna Stanford of Spencer, Jolene (Robert) Gear, of Finland and Dennis (Pegi) Stanford of Washington, D.C. Judy is also survived by her stepmother, Lucille Barkley, and stepbrothers, Russell and Richard Royce of Cedar Rapids.

According to Judy's wishes, she was cremated. Burial will be determined at a later date.

Published July 11, 2013 in The Gazette