Robert "Joe" Joel Barlow

After graduation from Fargo(OK) High School, Joe joined the US Navy, serving his country during WWII in the South Pacific from March, 1944, to May, 1946. He was awarded the American Campaign Medal, Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Campaign Ribbon with one star, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. After returning to the states he went to work for Santa Fe Railroad in Amarillo. Joe met his future wife, Ruth, who also worked for Santa Fe. Joe and Ruth were married in Amarillo on August 15, 1948, and were blessed to share an amazing 63 years.

Ruth and Joe had two daughters, Carlene Bryant of Quinter, Kansas, and Carolyn Taylor of Houston, Texas. Joe worked for Continental Carbon Co. as an industrial traffic manager in Amarillo until 1961, when he was transferred to the Houston offices. After retiring from Continental Carbon he worked Rock Island Railroad and traveled to Alaska to help with the Alaska pipeline.

In Amarillo Joe helped Ruth with various projects for Brownie and Girl Scout troops. In Houston he coached girls’ softball. The team members lovingly called him “Papa Joe”. Many of the classmates of the girls considered “the Barlow house” to be their second home. He and Ruth loved every one of the kids that visited. After both retired, Joe and Ruth moved to Hilltop Lakes, Texas, where they lived until 2002. While at Hilltop Lakes, he served as a volunteer fireman and EMT. He enjoyed golfing almost daily, and fished as often as possible until they moved to PineCrest Retirement Community here in Lufkin. His favorite pastimes at PineCrest included playing and calling bingo and playing dominoes and card games with other residents. Joe and Ruth spent many hours together working on their family genealogies. They traveled the states looking for graves of deceased relatives and meeting with living relatives to exchange information discovered. They visited numerous libraries to research census records, including going to the Salt Lake City Library in Utah.

Joe is survived by his daughters, Carlene and Carolyn, and four grandchildren, Adam Bryant and wife Marlyn of Stockton, Kansas, Aaron Bryant of Hays, Kansas, Christy Taylor and fiancé Kevin Bray of Galveston, and Daryl Taylor and wife Jennifer of Houston; seven great-grandchildren, Angeline, Alyssa and Sierra Bryant of Hays, Kansas, daughters of Aaron; Morgan and Aricka Bryant of Colby, Kansas, daughters of Adam; and Dylan and Jacob of Houston, sons of Daryl and Jennifer Taylor; one brother, Jerry Barlow and wife Margaret; one sister, Jane Neaville; and two sisters-in-law, Jimmie Lee and Joyce Barlow. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and numerous friends.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Stephenson Barlow; three brothers, Jimmy, Joy and Glenn Barlow; and two sisters, Nina Williams and Lucille Meyer.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home