James Barlow
September 4, 1923 — January 2, 2015
Jim was born in Englewood, New Jersey, on September 4, 1923. His parents; James A. Barlow, Sr. who was from a homesteader family in Livermore, Colorado and later Sheridan, Wyoming and his mother, Emile Verge of Montellimare, France, had met and were married in the city of New York. Jim was the fourth of five children and grew up with his 3 sisters and 1 brother on the banks of Hackensack River in New Jersey. They spent many days exploring the river and even made a boat trip in their favorite boat around the island of Manhattan. In World War II he served as an Ensign in the Navy as an aviator with the squadron called the Jersey Skeeters. He was an accomplished pilot, landing the Hellcat and Corsair planes on the decks of aircraft carriers. This past summer, Jim was able, through the help of some wonderful friends; revisit some of his flying experience with a tour in an open cockpit bi-plane, like the one he had learned to fly in. It was a grand day, to see Dad fly again.
Jim met his future wife, Ann, in Brooklyn, New York while he was stationed at Floyd Bennett Field and was married on December 21, 1946.
After the war, Jim attended Middlebury College and received a B.A . Degree in 1949. Wanting to peruse a career in geology, Jim and Ann followed his Father's western routes to Wyoming and to the University of Wyoming where he received his Masters in 1950 and a PhD. in Geology in 1953. They both adapted to life in Laramie Wyoming and had many great stories of the time there. He and his future business partner, John Haun, received the first two PhD degrees from the University awarded in Geology. After college he worked as an exploration geologist for Marathon Oil and Forest Oil. In 1957 Barlow & Haun, Inc. was formed.
His love for the state of Wyoming and his belief in giving back to his community lead Jim to put on his Wyoming hat, as he liked to call it, and he became involved in local government. In Casper he served on the city council from 1960 to 1966. From 1966 to 1968 he served as Mayor to the city of Casper. Jim later went on to the Wyoming State Legislature in the House of Representatives for two terms from 1982 to 1986. Dad is one of the few "oil men" in the legislature to receive Environmental Legislature of the Year award. We all were pretty proud of that. In 1988 he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree from the University of Wyoming. Jim also served on the Wyoming Oil & Gas Conservation Commission and has been very active in the industry with both his field work and mapping. His love for geology was great and at 91 he still made it to the office and was active in the Geologists of Jackson Hole, which he helped to organize. He also had great curiosity and was active in the Institute for Global Affairs.
In 1974 Ann & Jim purchased land in Jackson Hole, which later became his permanent home. Dad loved to fly fish and was a good in the work shop. We have many fine pieces of furniture that he made. He was also known as a good gardener and loved to take a walk down in his favorite place, the aspen grove. He was a man of commitment, integrity, loyalty and reliability. He loved gatherings and good conversations and was very devoted to his family and friends. He was a special friend to many people.
Jim is survived by his son Jim and his wife Pam and his grandchildren, Will and Hailey, by his daughter Lee and his grandchildren, Nicolas and Lucas. He is also survived by one sister and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jim was a beloved grandfather, father, and deeply loved by all, he will be missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Geologists of Jackson Hole or the Jane and Dave Love Scholarship Fund. Services will be held at Saint John's Episcopal Church on Saturday January 10th at 10 am. Reception to follow. There will be a visitation on Friday, January 9 from 6:30 to 8pm at the valley Mortuary in Jackson.
Condolences can be sent to the family at valleymortuaryjackson.com