Barbara Garcia

Barbara June Farley-Garcia (née Self) (born circa 1939) is an Oklahoma woman whose house was destroyed in a tornado on 20 May 2013. She gained brief fame after her dog Bowser was found live on television while Barbara was being interviewed.
Early Life
Barbara June Self was born circa 1939, likely in or near Oklahoma.
She married a Mr. Farley and/or a Mr. Garcia.
Barbara moved to 113 SW 8 Street, in Moore, Oklahoma circa 1973. The home had been built in 1963.
Tornado
On the afternoon of Monday 20 May 2013, at about 14:56 CDT, a tornado touched down for 37 minutes, killing 25 people in Moore, Oklahoma (a suburb of Oklahoma City). Barbara's home was destroyed but she was unharmed. She lost her dog, "Bowser", and assumed it was dead.
At about 18:00 CDT the same day, Barbara was interviewed by CBS news' Anna Werner. Live on television the dog was found alive.
Post-Tornado
After coverage of this event circulated widely, Barbara received an outpouring of $73,940 in donations from 1,632 people from a GoFundMe to help her buy a new house after this event. The GoFundMe was organized by a stranger, Erin DeRuggiero of Minneapolis.
On 26 July 2013, Erin went to Moore to meet Barbara .
By November 2013 she had moved into a new home, built on the same location by a volunteer nonprofit organization from Virginia called Operation Blessing.
"Things change and I chose to believe that they change for the better," Barbara said. "God, he missed the best chance he had to take me. He'll never have a better chance. He left me here for a reason. I don't know exactly what that reason is, but I know there's a reason and I know I'll find it and I will find comfort in it."
The *pro bono* legal team who helped Barbara into the new home and handle the money coming in was Carrin and Simone at Whitten Burrage Law Firm and Oklahoma Lawyers Care. They have been helping Barbara sort through the home re-build process and all that she will need to consider (taxes, insurance, etc.) Please visit their fanpage https://www.facebook.com/LawyersCare.
"Heavy hearts today. Barbara's beloved Bowser passed away this morning after having a stroke. He had been on medication after the tornado, due to fluid build up in his lungs and had been doing well, despite everything he'd been through. Please keep Barbara in your thoughts and prayers. Her address is pasted below if you want to send a note or a card."
- Erin DeReuggiero, circa January 2014
Later that year Barbara got a new dog, BJ ("Bowser Junior").
No obituary of her is evident online as of 2019, so it is likely she is still alive.
Property Assessment, 2013, prior to tornado
Owner: BARBARA JUNE SELF
Assessed land value: $9,000
Assessed building value: $85,334
Total value for property: $94,334
Assessments for tax year: 2013
Property use: Urban Residential, Single Family Property
class: Residential
Land size: 7,303 square feet
Building area: 1,631 square feet
Number of bedrooms: 3
Number of bathrooms: 2.0
Number of stories: 1.0
Year property was built: 1963
Land use: Urban Residential Land
Land type: Residential
Property type: Residential
Occupancy: Urban Residential, Single Family
Built as: 2 Story
Condition: Good
Quality: Fair Plus
Heating, ventilation, air conditioning: Central Air to Air
Exterior: Frame Masonry Veneer
Interior: Drywall
Roof type: Gable
Roof cover: Composition Shingle
Floor cover: Allowance
Garage: 540 square feet
Porch: 280 square feet
Source: City-Data dot com.
Update from GoFundMe organizer, circa July 2014
Just talked to Barbara! She got a new dog in July 2014 (BJ for Bowser Junior) who goes by Junior. He is only 6 pounds fully grown and quite the lap baby. He's loving life in his new house. I'd never seen a teacup schnauzer before, but he's a handsome devil.
She IS getting some of her mail, delivery has restarted, but it is not always timely. Post Office is still sorting it out, she went there yesterday to give em' what for, but she said you can send cards or whatever you wish to her work address, which she will indeed receive.
Work (until about 2014):
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Elegant-Decor-608656139171787/
Barbara Garcia/Elegant Decor
11629 South Western Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73170
Home:
113 SW 8th Street
Moore OK 73160
Thanks for all of your emails, means a lot
Happy Holidays!
Erin

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu