Raymond Barlow

Raymond Louis Barlow, age 71, went to heaven on March 25, 2013 after a battle with cancer.   Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 28, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbus, Neb.  Interment was in Columbus Cemetery in Columbus.  

Raymond was born Jan.18, 1941 to Doris (Bussa) Barlow and the late Dale Barlow in Thornton, Iowa. He graduated from Clear Lake High School in Clear Lake with the Class of 1959. He was drafted into the US Army in 1963. He served until 1965. He then attended Hawkeye Technology and studied tool and dye. Raymond married the love of his life, Sharon Hopkey in Clear Lake on Oct. 10, 1970. The two were inseparable until this past September when Sharon passed from cancer also. They will now be together again dancing in Heaven.

Ray worked in Hampton, Iowa, for many years at United Hydraulics Cessna as a manufacturing superintendent. He relocated to Columbus, Neb., in 1987 where he worked in management for Appleton Electric for just over a year. He retired in 2007 from Orion Corporation where he worked in purchasing and safety.

Ray enjoyed golfing, bowling, going to feed the horses at the racetrack, going to the casinos with his wife, spending time with the kids and grandkids, and gardening. He always had a really big garden and was out in it nearly everyday in the spring and summer. He even started doing all the canning when he retired. Spending time to visit kids and grandkids was a big highlight for Ray. Many hours were spent watching hockey, baseball, football and softball games, and building things with the grandkids and having them come for a couple weeks in the summertime. He was a terrific grandpa. He thought he was as young as they were. He was truly a top notch father as well. Ray was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Raymond is survived by his mother, Doris Barlow, Clear Lake; daughter, Kimberly (Darin) Berger of Meriden, Kan.; son, Gregory (Faith) Barlow of Lincoln, Neb; six grandchildren, Dawson Berger and Shelby Berger of Meriden, Kan., and Madelyn, Nathan, Chrystian and Gracie Barlow of Lincoln, Neb.; brothers, Don (Helen) Barlow, Paris, Texas, Larry (Linda) Barlow, Clear Lake, Irvin (Jane) Barlow, Longview,Texas, and Denny Barlow San Antonio, Texas; and several nieces and nephews that he loved very much. 

He is preceded in death by his wife, Sharon Kay Barlow; and his father, Dale Eugene Barlow.

      Condolences may be sent to www.mckownfuneralhome.com