Barbara Garcia

Barbara Garcia, May 2013. Credit: CBS News

Barbara June Farley-Garcia (nee 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.

Her house at 113 SW 8, Moore Oklahoma before the tornado

And here is her new Operation Blessing-made house, at the same location. No wonder she's not very thrilled with her new house

Garcia's home, circa 2022. She is still living there since the car is the same. The home beside has also been rebuilt.

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 [1].

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").

As of 2022 she still lives at the same address. In fact only three houses lie between her home and the Moore Aquatic Center, with exciting outdoor waterslides. It's only 120 metres away.

No obituary of her is evident online as of 2023, so it is likely she is still alive.

Names

All news articles use the name "Barbara Garcia", but her property listing uses the name "Barbara June Self".

The White Pages give Barbara June Farley-Garcia, aka Barbara June Self. It's possible Self is her maiden name, whereas Farley and Garcia are her married names?

Her phone number is listed as (405) 794-3050.

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

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

Barbara's Email: elegantdecor@sbcglobal.net

Thanks for all of your emails, means a lot

Happy Holidays! Erin