Flowers of the Forest
Roy Jack Barbee passed away on October 9, 2023 in his residence in Newnan, Georgia. He was born on August 29, 1942 in Freer, Texas to Alfred and Louise Barbee. Roy grew up in Notrees (pronounced “No-Trees”) Texas.
After graduating high school in Odessa Texas, Roy joined the U.S. Army and attended the Naval School of Music as a drummer. Roy played in the U.S. Army Band and was attached to the 82nd Airborne Division until 1964. Although in the band, he was required to make several parachute jumps.
After the Army, Roy earned a music degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock Texas. After college, Roy was the Band Director at Estacado High School in Lubbock from 1970 – 1973. In the mid 70’s Roy moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a career as a professional drummer. He performed not only with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, but also The Sonny James Band, The Dave Dudley Band and many appearances on the Grand Ole Opry.
Roy was first introduced to Scottish-style drumming in 1987 after attending a performance by The Grenadier Guards and Gordon Highlanders in Nashville. Roy was a founding member of Lubbock Pipes & Drums and has played with numerous other bagpipe/drum bands including Nashville Pipes & Drums, Atlanta Pipe Band and most recently John Mohr MacKintosh Pipes & Drums, as Drumming Instructor.
An interesting genealogical footnote: Roy is a direct descendant of Captain John Damron, who joined the Continental Army under George Washington as a Drummer Boy in 1776. Captain Damron was present at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania in late 1777.
The John Mohr MacKintosh Pipes and Drums has suffered a significant loss as piper member John “Jack” Pierce passed away November 28, 2019.
Jack graduated with distinction in 1955 from the United States Naval Academy, and his first tour of duty was aboard the USS John R Pierce (DD 753), the destroyer named to honor his father. In 1963, he graduated at the top of his class from Webb Institute of Naval Architecture where he earned a Masters degree. After a distinguished naval career, Jack retired from active service in 1980 with 26 years as an accomplished naval architect and engineer. As a professional engineer, Jack consulted for an additional 18 years before fully retiring and moving from Charleston, SC, to Stone Mountain, GA in 2007 with Barbara, his wife of 64 years.
Prior to moving to Georgia, Jack was a piper and a bass drummer for the Charleston Police Pipes & Drums. After moving to Georgia he performed with the Atlanta Pipe Band and John Mohr Mackintosh Pipes & Drums as well as the U.S. Coast Guard Pipe Band. With the C.G. Pipe Band Jack also served on the band’s Board of Directors and was Treasurer for the band.
A Celebration of Jack’s life was held at Park Springs Village in Stone Mountain, Wednesday, December 4, 2019. An interment service will be held in Annapolis, MD, in April, 2020.
Gordon H. Wilson passed away at his home in Loganville GA on November 8, 2020. Gordon was born on March 14, 1943 to the late E. Gordon Wilson and Miriam McKeag. He is survived by his wife Brenda B. Wilson, son Matthew Gordon Ross Wilson, Matthew’s fiancé Taylor Ryan, and sister in law Ann Barber. Brothers Robert Neal Wilson and wife Zerah, Thomas Ross Wilson and wife Susan, sisters Eleanor Lynn Smith and husband Bruce, Judy Annette Burden and husband Tad, nieces and nephews.
Gordon had an unquenchable passion for Scottish heritage. He immersed himself, his family, and friends in all aspects of Scottish culture. He was a member of the Scottish Country Dance Society. He became a member of the John Mohr Mackintosh Pipes and Drums Band and led the band as Drum Major for many years. He was a long-time member of the Atlanta St. Andrews Society and served as their President. Further, he was a founding member of the Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin NC and served for many years on their Board of Directors.
After Brenda, Gordon’s true love was the Stone Mountain Highland Games (SMHG). Discovering the event in 1978, he quickly became a leading member of the setup team called the Grounds Committee. Along with Don Ferguson, Gordon became Grounds Chairman in 1983 and led the committee until 2011 when he became Chairman Emeritus. In 1991, Gordon was elected to the SMHG Board of Directors where he served faithfully until his death.
Gordon had an institutional knowledge and recall of SMHG that was unmatched. It was his vision that led the event from black iron and air hammers to free standing tent systems, which saved a lot of painful backs and other injuries. As Stone Mountain Park threw curve balls in setup or field configuration, he took it all in stride. His quiet leadership was a model in how to get a job done. He was trusted by all who worked with him and enjoyed his friendship. He allowed people to work to their strengths which provided the Games an unmatched structure for the future.
His quiet leadership and sense of humor knew no bounds, When SMHG acquired “the third trailer”, it was his idea to ask the ladies to name the new trailer. It is not known if he envisioned what would take place, but by lunch, the trailer had a name, a background story, T-shirt designs were being discussed and eventually produced plus campaign buttons. A full court press had started to name the trailer Boudicca. Gordon just smiled and enjoyed his team having fun.
Steve Brady was one of Gordon’s team leaders and relates that “Early in my Games career, I was working evening shift, and would disappear shortly after lunch to get to work. When asked, I said I had to get to “my other job”. Come the “We Fooled Them Again” party, my award was a mounted wristwatch- “time” to get to my other job. His quiet humor was greatly appreciated.”
Gordon touched the lives of all that knew him, worked with him, and played with him. He always had a way of making you feel important and welcome. The world has lost a kind soul who knew how to lead with grace and humor and loved the people around him.