James Burgess Harlow, 93, passed away in his home August 18, 2024, in Austin, Texas. He was born to Leonard and Marguerite Harlow and spent a happy childhood in Darien, Connecticut along with his sister Lenore and brother Bob.
After high school, his family moved to Barnhart, Missouri and Jim spent a summer in remote Alaska fighting wildfires, an experience he treasured his entire life. After attending two years of college at Southeast Missouri State, he left school for the military, proudly serving as a Naval aviator. After his service, Jim earned his Civil Engineering degree at the University of Missouri where he met his wife, Martha Leslie.
Jim had a long career in the prestressed precast concrete industry in various managerial and sales roles. In 1982 he started his own business, East Texas Precast, in Hempstead, Texas. He owned and managed his business to great success until his retirement in 2007.
Jim led an active, adventure filled life with friends and family always along for the ride. He was an avid sailplane pilot, sailor, tennis player, fisherman and outdoorsman. Later in life, his passion was fly-fishing, traveling to Colorado, Montana and Alaska with his wife Martha and/or with friends in pursuit of trout on the fly.
Jim was completely devoted to Martha, and they loved to travel throughout the U.S. in their RV as well as internationally. Always ready with a story or funny anecdote, he loved to be with friends and family, and he will be greatly missed.
Jim is survived by his wife, Martha; children Keith, Kathleen and Ellen; and grandchildren Callie, Will, Ethan, Chloe and Elise.
Services will be held at First Presbyterian of Austin on Friday, August 30th at 10:30 AM.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association or the Engineering General College fund at the University of Missouri.
