John R. Barlow, CDR,USN

Mr. John R. Barlow, CDR, USN, Retired, age 72, of Biloxi, MS., died Friday, September 30, 2005, in Ocean Springs. Mr. Barlow was a resident of the community for 22 years. He served in the US Navy for 29 1/2 years, was a fighter pilot who flew F-8 Crusaders and commanded the VC-5 squadron. He was one of the original "Top Gun" instructors and had a perfect safety record. Mr. Barlow loved to hunt and fish and was a writer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Grace Barlow and grandmother, Maude Barlow. Mr. Barlow is survived by his wife of 47 years, Beverly Balius of Biloxi, two daughters, Suzanne (Arthur) Hedges of Ocean Springs and Victoria Hopkins of Alta Loma, CA., and son, John Barlow II of Huntsville, AL., two brothers, Bradley Barlow of Texarkana, TX., and Bill Barlow of Waverly, TX., six grandchildren, Brandy Barlow, John Barlow III, Samantha Hopkins, John Hopkins, Gil Hedges, and Ross Hedges, and one great-grandchild, Alexis Hopkins. On Friday, October 7, 2005, there will be a 1 PM private family graveside service in Biloxi City Cemetery. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made to the American Heart Association.