Jerry Barlow, 84

Today, Jan. 1, would have been Jerry’s 85th birthday. He was born Jan. 1, 1932, in Oakland, California, to Wanda and Wallace Barlow. However, he passed away on July 20, 2016, this past summer.

But we, his big and loving family, will be celebrating Jerry’s birthday without him with traditional chili, beans and birthday cake. He is survived by three brothers, Ted and wife Loretta, Mike and wife Terry, and Steve and wife Tami; Jerry’s wife, Sally, of 64 years, and five loving “children,” Teri and husband Chris, Gary and wife Gaby, David, Lee Ann and husband Juan, and Jim. Those “children” were very productive, with 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Jerry knew all their names but not their birthdates.

During those 84 years he had a grand time, however, the best time was establishing his own business in the building trade as a drywall contractor with his sons. There are a lot of beautiful walls and ceilings in Northern California and Northwestern Montana. Jerry often said we have lived in three of the most beautiful places ... Mount Shasta and Crescent City, California, and Kalispell.

He hunted and fished in all those places, taught by his grandma Suzie.

His last project dear to his heart was rebuilding a 1938 Ford pickup. He got parts from all over, one piece at a time and put it together and re-did it all several times. However, his respiratory health problems didn’t allow him to finish that last project before July 20.

So today, on his birthday, his loving family is determined to finish it and we are certain he is “up there” watching and critiquing ever step of the way.

We love you and miss you, Jerry, to the moon and back.