Name: Porter Loring Mortuary - McCullough
Address: San Antonio, TX

When I read the Touch TLU Magazine yesterday, I could not believe my eyes. My heart goes out to his family and Jennifer. If there is anything that you need, please feel free to contact me.

I am at a loss for words not knowing exactly what to say. I attended Health Careers HS with Jeff and he was a good friend. I had not seen or spoken to Jeff since our last days of high school, yet his memory is still strong within me. It is unfortunate that we will not see more of him today, however I do look forward to seeing him "tomorrow." To his family, God Bless You and may God hold you in his hands and put you at ease.

I am a member of St. Luke's church where Jeff interned this past year. The congregation at St. Luke's Church loved him dearly. I will remember he took time out of his busy schedule to come and watch my son play football last year. His death was a tremedous blow to all of us. I know the senior youth group took it very hard. They all loved him so much. Jeff had a spark. They say God takes the good ones early. I believe that is true. When I look up in the sky and see a star twinkling I will think of Jeff. My deepest sympathies to his family.

Jeff was my youth pastor for about a year four years ago when I was in high school. I remembered that Jeff really loved us and wanted us to know Christ more. His friendship with me was ordained by the Lord and he taught me a lot in the short time we knew each other. I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. -Romans 8:38-39

I came back in June of 2004 and was unaware of Jeff's condition. Had I only known I would have spent time with the man who knew how to love and care more than any one I know. I am blessed to have been loved by him and wish I had been able to be as strong a Christian as he in the greatest commandment: love God and others. Please forgive me for my immaturity. Thank you for showing me God's true love, Jeff. How I desperately wish I could change all that I've done. Now I only have the opportunity to change my actions now and in the future. My dad feels the same way and has made a 180 turn because of Jeffrey Cullen Barkemeyer. Our family loves you Jeff. You have made a real difference in our lives because of the joy you have lived yours with. I came back to San Antonio Wed., July 21, 2004 to say goodbye. I know you don't mean to make us cry, but it's so hard to say goodbye. I know we will see you again because that is how the story ends. We love you. To his family: please forgive me for not treating him with the love and respect he deserved. Thank you for bringing up a wonderful man who has touched my life and my family's life and has shown us how to love, forgive, and have joy.

My deepest condolences go out to your family. I graduated the year after Jeff, but met him through friends. He was a great guy and will be missed.

I was Jeff's English teacher in high school. He was like a big brother to my daughter Amberly during his senior year at HCHS. He and David Covington helped her through some seriously troubled times--for that I will always thank them. My warmest blessings to your family in your time of loss.... 
Beth Willstrop

Barkemeyer Family: 
Wayne & I want you to know how sorry we are with the loss of your son. May the Lord give you strength/and courage to face these troubling days ahead. Remenber God Is in Control of everything. Jenny I love you like a sister, and I will be here for you.

Jeff-- 
 You were to be our brother of the altar. May your death and absence sharpen our proclamation of Hope. Eternal rest grant him, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him.

To Jeff's family and fiance, Jen, 
Although many of us at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church did not personally know Jeff, we have offered prayers over the past weeks on his behalf and are deeply saddened for you. We continue to pray for comfort and healing for the pain of your loss. Jeff is now with his Lord. May God's peace and this truth give you strength. Please let us be there to support you in any way we can.

There are so many things I remember about Jeff from the year he was at seminary with my husband in Ohio. He spent a lot of time at our apartment goofing around with us. My favorite memory is when after Jeff transferred to Texas and he came to visit us one last time. I was pregnant with my daughter, Grace, and he gave us a tiny t-shirt that said "Don't mess with Texas" for her. She wore it until it no longer fit. We really wish we could have attended the funeral, but we could not afford the plane tickets. That is also the unfortunate reason why we never made it out to Texas in the past two years to visit. We miss him very much and give our condolences to his parents. We wish we had also met them and his fiancee. My husband is going to enlarge a picture of them from seminary to take to his desk at church. We miss him very much.

It is with great sadness I wish to extend my deepest sympathy for loss of your dear Jeffrey. My daughter Melissa called me from Camp Chrysalis so very saddened by the news. Jeff was Melissa's Lyle Director years ago. She shared with me that they had become very close friends over the years. Jeff was instrumental in my daughter's life. Rest assured that his memory will live on through all those young beautiful children that he loved and cared for. For as we embrace the life of your Jeffrey, Melissa and those others he so deeply touched - are sharing Jeff's great love for our Father to a new generation at Chrysalis. 
 May Gods love and healing touch be with you at this sad time. 
 Lisa Westbrook 
 and all those at 
 Saint Mark Lutheran Church, Adkins Tx

Jeff, you will be remembered for your giving, faithful spirit. You touched countless lives. You will continue to live through the lives of those who loved you. The service at Abiding Love was beautiful and a fitting tribute to a beautiful man.

My deepest condolences in your time of grief. May God bless you and your family always.

I met Jeff only a few times. His personality shown brightly and touched many hearts. May God bless him and his family in their loss.

Dear Mr. & MRs. Barkemeyer, 
My most sincere condolences on the passing of your beloved son, Jeff. I was Jeff's advisor during his time with us at the Lutheran Seminary Program in Austin. Jeff was a delight to be with and talk to. I remember serving on the candidacy committee interview with him and observing how quick and sharp he was in answering the difficult questions that the committee asked him. Jeff was a bright student and quick witted! I will always remember that about him. It was a joy to be his advisor and professor. Jeff will always be a child of God and an inheritor of the promise of the Resurrection! That is indeed our hope and the promise of his baptism. I was indeed blessed to know Jeff. May you know God's blessing of peace and consolation during this time of mourning. Sincerely, Dr. Jay Alanis, LSPS

I will never be able to describe how big of an impact Jeff had on my life. He was first a camp counselor, and later a mentor and friend. He helped me not only to grow in God, but helped me to understand where I needed to be heading in life. If it wasn't for Jeff, his friendship, his ministry, and his love I would not be the same person today. He was a wonderful caring person, and his friendship was one of the most important of my life. Thank you Jeff, I will miss you.

Although I did not know Jeff as a close friend, during the times that I did spend with him, he had a way of making everyone feel God's amazing love. Jeff was charismatic, charming and a genuinely loving human being. I feel blessed to have known him, even if only briefly. He was a true gift from God, and my heart goes out to all that were blessed to know and love Jeff. May God hold you close at this time.

Jeff was an amazing friend to me and an wonderful example of Christ's love. Jeff's smile, voice, enthusiasm and faith will live in my memory until I see him again. Psalm 16:9-11 "Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body will also rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave...You have made known to me the path of Life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

I'm so glad Jeff came into my life. He was so loved by so many! I'm glad I was able to meet his mother, father, and brother - and especially blessed to have visited with Jenn.

Not having seen Jeffrey since he was a young boy, we will always remember him as one who was talkative, energetic, talented, and determined to beat an older guy Duncan at various video games. Although we watched him from afar grow and develop into a young man, we knew he had never lost those little boy qualities that made him the unique person he ultimately became. 
It saddens our hearts that he was taken so soon from the people that knew and loved him so much.

I know there are no words or anything I can do to help ease the pain you feel but please know that we Lenny, Chad & I are praying that God give you the peace and strenght that you all need. We will keep you in our prayers. Lenny & Gail Vollmer 
9334 Valley Ridge, San Antonio, TX 78250 210 681-7326.

Dear Hubert, Jenny and Jason, I have no words-we were so shocked to read of Jeff's death. I will always remember how polite he always was when he was in our home - and that smile - it was contagious. I will especially remember how kind he was to come to Russell's service and how he took the time to visit Kristi at TLU when she was hurting so after her dad's death. He was a fine man and a son and brother to be proud of. All our thoughts and prayers go out to you. May our Lord hold you in the palm of His hand. 
Susan, Kristi and Bryan Peters

Jeff was a great friend to have, and unfortunately, we lost contact with one another shortly after high school. But there are many great memories from school, especially senior year. Jeff's love for the Lord was amazing and he was never afraid nor ashamed to speak the Word. He was always a happy individual and making everyone around him laugh! We can all look at his great loss and say his life was too short, but God has better plans and we shall all be still and let God do his work. To everyone reading this, live life to the fullest and appreciate what you have, and leave the rest up to God. To Jeff's family, my condolences and prayers are with you. God Bless!

Jeffrey was a man seeking the heart of God, and I know he has found it. Through witnessing Jeff during times of peace and times of struggle, he always seemed to search and find a new discovery about His Saviour. He was always excited about the Lord and eager to walk closer with Him daily. I pray Jeff's testimony may be a constant reminder to each of us that we must praise God, even when there seems to be little to praise about. Jeff was a brother in Christ to us all, and we remember his gift to fill a room with his smile, his passion for the Lord, and his love toward his family and friends. We thank God for sharing one of His angels with us so that we could be blessed by the gift of Jeff. We will never forget. May his loved ones feel the Holy Spirit through all of our prayers we will continue to lift up. Thank you for sharing Jeff with us.

St. Lukes in Richardson, Texas was blessed in many ways to have such a special person as Jeff. It was a joy to go each Sunday morning to see his big smile, loving heart and warm greeting to the house of worship. He motivated me with his sermons and listened at times in need. 
 My prayers and thoughts are with the family and loved ones. 
God Bless, 
Carolyn Simma 
Richardson, Texas

Jenny - my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. Words cannot express the sorrow that I feel for your loss.

I will always remember Jeff as one of the most beautiful people I ever had the pleasure of meeting. He could make you smile or laugh with only a couple words and that grin that was always on his face. He was always loving, caring and kind to everyone. I knew him from the end of high school through college, and I consider my life richer from having known him.

There is really no comforting words at a time like this; however, we will try! Y'all are a special family who are a true example of love, respect, affection and great dignity. We are truly so sorry for your loss. Most of our time with your family has been with Jason and now with him & Charolette, but we feel like you all are part of our extended family. Jeff was a man working for the Lord. Although we would be happier with him here, God needed him to complete hs work in heaven. His spirit, energy, and smile were all contagious--that was apparent even with what little time we had with him. You all now have a special guardian angel--we all do! M&M Barkemeyer, if there is anyhting we can do let us be a support system for you. Jason I am sure you were just as good a brother as you were friend, so in that sense Jeff won the "lottery" the day he was born. Charloette God bless as you are the rock Jason needs in this time. Jen, you are a angel who blessed Jeff's life. We cannot empathize your feelings, but let us help you through them any way we possibly can. God bless all of you as you hold on to one another to make it through this "storm" 
Our hearts, prayers, and love are with y'all. 
---The Carlos Lopez Family 
Carlos, Dawn, Adriana, Karly, & Levi

I am sorry to hear on your loss. My sister, Rhonda notified me of Jeff. I graduated with Jeff and my sister Rhonda was two years younger, but remembers him from choir. We too have had a loss this year with our younger sister. We share in your loss of not only our sister, but of Jeff. We were not close but did share classes together. Rhonda and I both send our deapests regrets and hope that God will ease your pain with time. Remember the loving memories that will last a lifetime.

Jeff's smile was definately a charachteristic that helped to brighten anyone's day. I must say however, that our talks about VeggieTales and how it's okay for adults to like them too, will be one of my lasting memories. May God's Peace and Comfort be with all those who had the opprotunity of knowing such a caring and devout man as Jeff.

Jeff was more than a friend, he was our brother in Christ. The love and compassion that was conveyed by Jeff at all times will remain with us forever. We thank God that we were able to know him, and thus get a glimpse of the Kingdom to come.

I was Jeff's classmate and friend at TLU, and he will be greatly missed by all. Even though I can not be at the funeral, my thoughts and prayers will be there with everyone. Jeff was very caring, and helped me though my roughest time in college by spending time with me, being my friend, and singing Silly Songs. Although his time was cut short, he made a huge impact in this world, and for God. May that same God he loved be your comfort now that Jeff has gone home to be with his Creator. Amen.

My sympathies to the entire family and Jennifer on the untimely loss of Jeff. 
Annette Roecker 
TLU Development

Well, what do you say about Jeff? He was such an amazing, loving, caring person. He greeted everyone with a hug and a how are you? And he sincerely wanted to know how things were going. He loved everyone no matter who they were or what their opinions were. He was a man after God's own heart and he will be greatly missed by many who were affected by him.

Jeff was a classmate of mine at the seminary in Austin. A lot of us Episcopalian students got to know him on a 2-week trip to New Mexico. Jeff and I ended up as roommates and became fast friends. I admire his smile, positive outlook on life, oppenness to share his faith, silly dancing, and love of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He was an incredible light to those of us at ETSS/LSPS and his death has come as quite a shock. I didn't even know about the cancer diagnosis. Know that he is loved and will be missed by many in Austin.

Jenny, 
I want you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We may not always understand why God takes someone home when he does but find comfort in the fact he is with the Father of us all. Your son has no more pain and is in a beautiful place that we cannot even imagine. The road ahead is going to be long but I can tell you through your faith, your church, and your friend you will be able to get through this. When you feel alone pray and always remember this is just a temporal seperation from your son and one day we will all be together again. I had a friend tell me after my mom died to imagine how happy she was and how said I she would be to know that I wasn't happy. That and the fact she reminded me that I am not alone and never have been helped me to realize how wonderful life is and when God calls us home is because he needs us there. I know you love your son very much but remember our Father in Heaven loves him very much and needed him home with him. 
I am here for you Jenny anything you need or sometimes it may be just a hug. My mom's favorite verse was John 3:16 For God so loved the world he sent his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. That's a wonderful promise given to us. 
I love you and I am here for you. Your friend always. 
Mary Ivy

I extend my heartfelt condolences to the entire family. May you find comfort in your memories and in rememberance of all the joy you shared with Jeff. Trust in your faith for peace and comfort in the days, months and years ahead. May God Bless you all.

I am so very sorry for the loss Jeff's family has had. He was one of a kind. I was a classmate of Jeff's at Trinity Lutheran Seminary. We began seminary in Greek together. I enjoyed Jeff's enthusiasm and gift of laughter. Greek was pretty intense and he helped break up the tension. He would have made a very good pastor. The church will miss that. May God be with you and give you comfort. Patrice Weirick

Jenny and her family have my deepest sympathy. I know that this is a rough time for the family but trust in God and he will get you through this. Keep the faith and remember, God will not put more on you than you can bear. I am here for Jenny and her family. I will continue to pray that God grant you the strength during this time of sorry. The road to recovery will be long and hard, but remember with God all things are possible. Love Cathy Tate

OBITUARY

Jeffrey Cullen Barkemeyer

May 7, 1979 – July 19, 2004

Porter Loring Mortuary - McCullough

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