Bio of Michael Barkdull

Home since late 1978 and life has been a blur since that time long ago… but here goes. Went to Utah State University and graduated 1982. Met my wife Peggy while at USU and we had two kids before I had finished my education. I have four kids now…Clay is 23, Kelly 21, Nicholas 16 and Christine 13. All good kids and none have been to jail.

Got back into the expensive habit of flying airplanes while in school but it turns out that it pays. I spent eight years as a pilot in the Air Force stationed in Arizona, Germany and Hill AFB Utah. Had to see what being an airline pilot was all about. It’s been a roller coaster a lot of ups and downs! (no pun intended) Hired on with Trans World Airlines in 1990 which was bought out by American Airlines in 2001. Because of the tough times the airlines have been going through and my new seniority number at American, I’ve been on furlough since July.

Concurrent with my airline career, I’ve had a second job going as a pilot with the Wyoming Air National Guard where somehow I got promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. The Air National Guard keeps me very busy. I was lucky enough (kidding!) to live in a tent and fly into garden spots like Afghanistan last year. I will, no doubt, be getting a similar experience in Iraq this coming year.

Several years ago I was lucky enough to fly a mission to Panama with the Air Guard. Everyone was speaking this strange language. I think it was Spanish! I am rusty! While there, I looked for and found Hermano Jose Garcia. Elder Manuel Silva and I were blessed enough to find him and his familia while knocking on doors during my mission. Hermano Garcia is now Presidente Garcia and has just returned from serving as a mission president in Chile. I never imagined this at the time.

It hasn’t been easy being away from home all these years and getting to church. I have had many callings and still attend. Even in the Middle East I have felt the comfort of the spirit. With a couple of other church members who were in the military, we held church. We sang, blessed the sacrament and comforted each other with the gospel. I will never forget it.

I will forever be grateful for having served my mission in Central America. I learned so much about life and the gospel. My whole life has been blessed because of it. I still have a testimony. I believe and love the church.