John Ray Bardin 1909-1958 (Update)

Photo: of Wreckage in "The New Mexican"

Dated: Thursday, 21 August 1958

On Friday, May 1, 2009 I received this article in the mail from Judy Klinger of the Santa Fe, NM Public Library regarding my search for information on the Death of John Ray Bardin.

Article dated: 14 August 1958, "The New Mexican" newspaper:

Three persons were killed today in the flaming crash of two cars on Highway 66 in southern Santa Fe County. The collision occurred one mile east of Baron about mid-morning.

The first word to State Police headquarters identified two of the victims as the drivers, Edward William Mussell, and John Ray Bardin, 50. A third person riding with Bardin was considered possibly to be a hitchhiker.

State Police Officers S. E. Lindsey and Tim Pince said it appeared that one car may have been passing and overturned in the passing lane, with the second car crashing into the vehicle. Both cars burned. The victims were pinned in the wreckage.

John Ray Bardin 1909-1958

JOHN RAY "JOHNNY" BARDIN

4 May 1909 ~ 14 August 1958

Recently I began researching the Bardin side of the family tree. Over the weekend I met John Ray and have been consumed with finding out what happened to him. I know that John was born in Johnston County, OK in 1909 and to John Pink Bardin and Jettie Viola Dudley Bardin. John was 4th of 12 children.

inscription reads:

CPL 662 PORT CO TO (POSSIBLY TC)

World War II

On 15 April 1942 John enlisted in the Army and served in World War II. His enlistement Record states that he was a resident of Okmulgee County at the time and enlisted in Tulsa, Ok. He was single and had only a grammer school education. John Ray died in Santa Fe County, New Mexico but is buried in Henryetta, Okmulgee Co, Oklahoma at West Lawn Cemetary. I have searched for what the CPL 662 Port Co was or did or served and have found nothing on it at this time. John died young and would like to know why?