Junior Barlow
November 30, 2015
LaVerne Charles “Junior” Barlow, 64, died Monday, November 30, 2015 at UnityPoint Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. Junior was born March 29, 1951 in Des Moines to LaVerne A. and Helen W. Barlow. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Jean Ann Barlow. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 4th, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the funeral. Burial will take place at Masonic Cemetery, 1550 48th Street, Des Moines. A reception will follow the burial at the Church of Christ, 5091 E. University Ave., Pleasant Hill.
Junior is survived by two sisters, Janet (James) Clayton and Jane Barlow, both of Des Moines, niece, Kathryn (Richard) Olson of Wheaton, IL, nephew, Bryan Clayton of Glen Ellyn, IL, two great-nieces and three great-nephews, a number of cousins all from Des Moines, and his Black Labrador, Jake II.
Junior graduated from Roosevelt High School and worked for the then Iowa Power and Light Company. He was a retired employee of MidAmerican Energy. He loved Black Labrador dogs and always had one. He was a member of the Pleasant Hill Church of Christ, IBEW Local 499 Des Moines, Central Iowa Bass Anglers, and a lifetime member of Toad Valley Golf Club.
He spent his summer vacations as a child in northern Minnesota and most recently vacationed at Lake of the Ozarks. In the past he played racquet ball, golf, and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was regularly invited to play in the annual golf tournament at Spencer, Iowa. A favorite Grandview Golf Course golfing partner was his cousin Bart Christianson of Ankeny.
The family would like to thank Rick Vertz for his help and for being one of his many, many good friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, 5452 NE 22nd Street, Des Moines, IA 50313-2528 or to the charity of your choice.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Rex Morris
12/02/2015
Junior was always a Gentle Giant that could knock a Baseball out of the Park, at will. He was always kind and considerate with a warm and welcoming smile. I knew him best during our days at Elmwood, where my only hope is Gym class was to be on Junior's team. I truly enjoyed sitting and talking with him at our TRHS 45th reunion last year. It was good to catch up. So glad we had that time. VayaConDios. If there is an opportunity for me to be a Poll Bearer, let me know. 309-236-4359
Tom/Fred Brady
12/01/2015
Junior was such a huge part of our family as well as our church family. He was one of the best ever. What an example for all of us. We loved that guy.
Dylan Rogers
12/01/2015
You where a one of a kind man with a heart of gold.Over the years i have learned many things from you and thank you for being my friend. I will miss working with you and jake. I luv you and miss you man! I know youre in heaven looking out for the many who cared for you. p.s. thanks for teaching me to think things through i will forever miss my buddy!
Sam Reese
12/01/2015
I will miss you buddy. One of the most thoughtful and generous guys ever. $, cars, tomatoes, etc. Junior was blessed with a uniqueness. He never wanted anything he couldn't afford.He would rather give than receive.
After taking care of you over 50 years. You are on my "A" team.
Russell Kramer
12/01/2015
I had many incredible fun times playing golf with Junior for a lot of years. Those fun days will never be forgotten. Junior was one of a kind.
As "Bob" would say...there is a right way, a wrong way, and "Junior's way"---
Jim Harris
12/01/2015
Oh man it hurts to get this information... I've known Junior since 4th grade at Hubbell. He would hit that softball so hard that it sounded like a small cannon. No chance of catching it... We sat next to each other in industrial arts. He always had the movie camera at the parties in jr. high. I'm so glad we all saw you last year at the TRHS reunion. Hard to accept...
Linda Shirk
12/01/2015
Junior always brightened the room he was in. Truly, I've never met a nicer guy. You will be greatly missed.
Richard Pence
12/01/2015
I worked with Junior at Midwest Gas. He was always in a good mood and would usually be good for a laugh or two in the ways he did his service work and when he stopped by our customer service center.
Kevin McLaughlin
12/01/2015
We played football together at Roosevelt High School and you could not have met a nicer guy, who was harder to move, than "Junior!" He was a great lineman; always very thoughtful and engaging, as well, and I know he's on God's own team right now.
Wendy England
11/30/2015
Rest in peace, my friend. I will miss your laughter and generous heart. Thank you for all the fun times you shared with my family.