John Holland Harlow Jr.

Johnny was born April 18, 1937, in Athens, Alabama, to Nella Carter Harlow and John Holland Harlow Sr., and graduated Athens High School in 1955. As a caveat to being valedictorian of his class and earning a football scholarship to West Point, he consistently attributed any academic and athletic accomplishment to the gifted and dedicated staff at Athens. Furthermore, he would fondly acknowledge his classmates that he believed to be "truly" smart.

In substantiation, the football team became the first in school history to finish with an undefeated record, while the hardwood contingent enjoyed similar success, advancing to the state semi-finals. Athletic and academic scholarships abounded for those in the class of ‘55 rendering that recognition redirection a genuine nod of gratitude and a sincere salute to faculty and classmates alike. As an aside, incorporate the parental and professional personas of that period into the picture…an iconic era in Athens to say the least, arguably a golden age.

Ultimately, West Point was too far away for his liking, so at the last minute, he elected to attend Vanderbilt University instead and stay closer to Athens. Deciding to forgo football after his freshman campaign at Vandy, he devoted more time to developing long-lasting friendships as a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity while continuing to excel academically - graduating with honors with a degree in chemical engineering.

After a two-year Mediterranean tour in the Navy as an officer aboard the USS Saratoga, he briefly worked for Chrysler before joining forces with the then seminal Marshall Space Flight Center at the advent of NASA’s endeavor to put a man on the moon. The Saturn V rocket and Apollo program led to a resounding mission accomplished and in the early ‘70's, NASA asked him to enroll at the University of Florida to earn his Master’s degree in Engineering. Once back on the Arsenal, it was all systems go on a myriad of exciting projects as MSFC continued to pioneer the nation’s quest to explore the universe. A few of the more prominent programs his teams helped usher to the launch pad being Skylab, Space Shuttle Main Engines, and the Hubble Space Telescope.

Outside of his professional career, he was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Athens where he taught youth Sunday school classes, sang in the choir, and served on many church boards and bureaus, including as Chairman of the Pastor-Parish Committee. After retiring from NASA, he relished the relationships he both built and furthered through volunteering- income tax return assistance with RSVP, delivering Meals on Wheels with CASA, and being involved with numerous Clean Community projects. Always a voracious reader, he surely accorded many librarians a sense of job security-despite their waiving the check-out limit- just trying to bring in novels he had yet to read. Additionally, gatherings with friends and traveling with family, along with an abundance of outdoor interests, helped round out and make his retirement more gratifying- in particular were a penchant for golf, tennis, fishing, and dominos, but gardening generally took precedence.

His son, John Holland Harlow III; daughter, Lydia Harlow Brooks (Allen); grandson, Kenneth Allen Brooks III; sister, Judy Harlow Fikes; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends lament his passing, but also rejoice in the belief that he is reunited with his beloved wife, Grethel Lydia Gardner Harlow; his mother and father; along with many others who have passed before him, and of whom he was so fond. Those closest to him also find a strong measure of solace and inspiration in the remembrance of his unique ability to effortlessly and unassumingly impart sincere kindness and genuine good will to friends and strangers alike.

A service of worship in celebration of the life of John Holland Harlow Jr. will be held at Athens First Methodist Church in the sanctuary on Saturday, April 19th, at 2:00 p.m. The Reverend Mac Buttram will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Athens First Methodist Church; Manna Meals Ministry at Athens First Methodist Church; libraries and local charities.