John Barrow

BARROW, JOHN F. AND FLORENCE John F. Barrow quietly passed away at home on March 22, 2014. Born August 23, 1926 to Franklin and Ardis Barrow, John was raised, along with his brother, Charles, in Oak Park, IL. He was an outstanding student and athlete, captaining his high school football team to a State Championship in 1943 before matriculating at Yale University in January of 1944. In June of 1945 he received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy. In his time at the academy he distinguished himself as a Company Commander and graduated with the class of 1949. He subsequently entered flight school at the Pensacola Naval Air Station and earned the gold wings of a Naval Aviator in September 1951. Assigned to an all-weather, night fighter squadron flying the McDonnell F2H Banshee, John was a carrier qualified fighter pilot who served tours of duty on the U.S.S. Midway, among others. He left the Navy in 1955 for a successful career in sales and marketing. He spent much of his civilian career with IBM where, in 1970, as part of the firm's Data Processing Division, he was named Salesman of the Year. He retired from IBM in 1988 following a 23-year career. Spending time with his family, pursuing his love of golf, traveling abroad and staying involved with the U.S.N.A. Class of '49 - including two terms as President - kept John vibrant during his retirement years. Preceding John in death was the love of his life, Florence "Flo" Barrow who passed in August 2012. John met Flo in 1947 while attending the Naval Academy. They were subsequently married in 1949 and enjoyed 63 years together. John and Flo brought their family to Severna Park, MD in 1963 where both remained active in the community for over four decades. Born in Linthicum Heights, MD on September 16, 1928, Flo graduated from the Peabody Institute and Mary Washington College where she majored in voice. During her time in Severna Park she was involved with important work in the health care, political, and fine arts arenas. Not only did she serve as Vice President of the Anne Arundel General Hospital Auxiliary but she was a founding member and past President of the Severna Park Republican Women's Club, an assistant to Maryland State Senator John A. Cade and a volunteer White House Executive Office assistant under both Presidents Nixon and Reagan. Flo was an accomplished vocalist who offered her voice to numerous local events and musical theater productions, most notably as Maria in the Park Players production of "The Sound of Music" and in the title role in the Chartwell Players rendition of "Mame." Flo and John lived and traveled abroad extensively. Following World War II, Flo, lived in Israel with her mother, the late Florence Duvall Archibald, and her father, the late Col. E.P. Archibald who was a military attach‚. She succumbed to the travel bug at a young age and subsequently shared many overseas adventures with John. They developed a special fondness for England and Switzerland and, later in life, spent many wonderful winter seasons in Hawaii. They, and their family, also enjoyed annual summer travels to the family cottage on the shores of Lake Michigan, a tradition that has now spanned more than 75 years. John and Flo are survived by John's brother, Charles (Patricia), Flo's sister-in-law, Frances Archibald, son Scott (Karen), daughter Lisa (Jack), son Gregg (Krissy), grandchildren Ardis, Rebecca, Jack and Brooke, nieces Fran, Paula, Carla and Barbara and nephews David and Stephen. They will be remembered as a warm and loving couple, wonderful parents and grandparents, and great friends to all who knew them. A memorial service will be held at St. Andrews Chapel at the United States Naval Academy on June 9, 2014 at 10:30 a.m., followed by committal of both to the United States Naval Academy Columbarium.