James Rodney Barlow

Surrounded by the love of his beloved family, James Rodney Barlow was called to the Lord on October 28, 2018, in College Station, at the age of 92. Born in Beaumont on August 12, 1926, Jimmy had a loving family of two parents, 9 siblings, and loving aunts and uncles who suffered through and survived the Depression.

He attended Beaumont High School, but his formal education was interrupted by his service as a U.S. Marine in WWII. He enlisted at the age of 17 in the United States Marine Corps in 1944. He served our country as a Marine in battles as a member of the historic 6th Marine Division. In the U.S. landing in Okinawa, he and his fellow Marines invaded Okinawa on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1945, and hoped to take Yon Ton airstrip in 3 days. They took it in 10 hours. The Okinawa battles are described as the bloodiest battles in WWII and Jimmy was seriously wounded by mortar fire in the ensuing months. He received a Purple Heart among many other commendations. After release from the Guam hospital months later, he was in the first landing boat to occupy Japan that preceded the signing of the Japanese surrender on the U.S.S. Missouri. Through tears at times, Jimmy told the story of the real surrender of Japan on the ground. Upon the announced surrender, Jimmy and his fellow Marines landed in Tokyo Bay, and the Japanese had their weapons stacked on the beach in front of the Marines. When the Japanese commander came forward, kneeled, and surrendered his samurai sword to the U.S. commander, Jimmy and his fellow Marines knew then that the war was really over. Jimmy and his division then disabled all the guns overlooking Tokyo Bay so the U.S.S. Missouri could sail in without a threat. Following WWII, he closed the book on the war and did not like to talk about it.

On December 20, 1947, he married his wife, Dorothy Louise McLemore, and enjoyed 60 years of marriage. He resumed civilian life after the war and earned an Associate of Arts from Lamar University. His next 70+ years were filled with the love of his family, and the American Dream. He retired from Gulf Refinery as Assistant Department Head over the Pipe Department after a 33-year career. He then had 33 years of retirement to spend with his family. Jimmy and Dot were the proud parents of three boys, all raised in Beaumont.

He is the son of the late Jesse M. Barlow, and Lillie Francis Barlow, who preceded him in death. His beloved wife Dot, and his beloved son, James E. Barlow, also preceded him in death.

He is survived by two sons, Douglas M. Barlow and his wife, Connie, of College Station and David W. Barlow and his wife, Darlene, of Lumberton. He also cherished his grandchildren, Cliff Barlow and his wife, Ginny, of Austin; Hilary Smith and her husband, Chris, of Houston; Heather Willis and her husband, Chris, of Bryan; Sky Barlow and his wife, Breanna, of Washington, D.C.; and Josh Barlow and his wife, Abby, of Nacogdoches. He also had the joy of great-grandchildren, Isla, Colette, and Crosby Smith, Emmett and Amelia Barlow, and triplets, Lilliana, Dylan, and Hayden Willis. He is survived by his brother, Guy G. Barlow, Sr. and he is beloved by numerous nieces and nephews who survive him.

Jimmy was a person who could build anything, fix anything, and solve any logistical problem. He was a giver in this world, always helping others without reservation. For all his life, Jimmy enjoyed hunting squirrels, ducks, rabbits, deer and alligators. Up to the age of 88, he was a selected hunter to remove alligators in the McFaddin Wildlife Preserve and he and his family helpers once took 78 alligators in one 10-day period. The outdoors were his passion and he always said that he loved the stalk and peace of squirrel hunting above all game. Above all, he always loved and cherished the company of his family.

A gathering of Mr. Barlow’s family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m., with his funeral service to follow at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Broussard’s, 1650 North Major Drive, Beaumont, with Reverend Rick Ivey officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to his caregivers at Scott White Clinics and Traditions Hospice in College Station for their loving care.