Mr. Jim Barlow

I was Jim's best friend in the ninth grade. Also loved Karen who was without a doubt the nicest and most beautiful girl school at that time. Also loved his mother Freda, a great mother and fine woman. Best regards to his older brother and the baby, who I hope are still with us.

Jim Deegan, [email protected]

To the family and law firm of Jim Barlow. I did not get word of Jim's passing until late last week and planned to attend visitation and the memorial; however, when I visited Greenwood, Sunday, the lady did not know anything about the Barlow family. I then planned to go to Trinity Episcopal today, and fortunately in talking with Steve Katten, discovered that what I thought was yesterday (Sun., Dec. 14 and today) took place a week ago. We will always remember Jim's friendliness and his professional abilities, accomplishments and demeanor as well as his friendliness and activity in politics. He was a good friend and outstanding lawyer, and will be sorely missed. God's peace be with you all now and always. Joe L. Orr

I love the Barlow family so much and my heart goes out to each and every one. Jim Barlow was an awesome man, Frada was an awesome mother and they are together with Bob and Rupert. I know Maryanne Black and Forrest Black are with them too. My prayers are with you Karen.

WE MISS THE GREAT LEGAL MIND, KINDNESS OF HEART, LOYALTY TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND SENSE OF HUMOR. WE SHARE YOUR LOSS.

LOU ANN AND TOM LIPSCOMB

dear karen andfamily
my deepest sympathy to you all...i shall miss jim's warmth and his kindness. fondly jeanne

My condolences to the family of Jim Barlow, a great lawyer and dedicated Bar leader. It was a wonderful experience serving with Jim in the State Bar leadership.
Jim Branton, Past President of State Bar of Texas

Ben and Ned,
I was so sorry to hear about your father. Your families, mother and sister are in my prayers. Your dad was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed by all who knew him or ever came into contact with him. Ben, I know you will carry on his legacy of extraordinary legal work.

Jim was a great example to younger attorneys, and a LOVELY neighbor!
As neighbors, Jim and I 'took on' the city on a number of issues, including the sanctity of our trees, which TU electric wanted to SEVERELY prune.
Jim told the company rep "if necessary, we'll rope ourselves to our trees!" His humor and kindness did with honey what vinegar wouldn't have accomplished... Our trees got a wacking, but not so severely as originally planned.
We'll miss you neighbor.
I'll miss your kind smile and wave at the end of the driveway, your dry wit, and philosophy of humor and grace.

To The Barlow Family & Law Office,

Greetings. I had a chance to work for Mr. Barlow's firm many years ago and found him to be a great mentor and a compassionate person. I learned a lot about being a lawyer that is not covered in the legal case books during my brief encounters with Mr. Barlow by observing him interact with his clients and peers.

I was sad to hear about his passing but pray for comfort for you all as you move forward and remember the times you were blessed to spend with him. He truly inspired all that he came in contact with and we too have been blessed to learn from his wisdom as we try to become the consummate professional that he was in our legal circles. May God Bless You All.

Sincerely,
Sam Williams, Esq.

Karen,
We just found out today about Jim. I am so sorry, please know you and all our in my thoughts and prayer.
Missy

Dear Barlow Family,
My condolences on your loss. I met Jim a number of years ago at a very difficult period when I needed his help. Of course I received excellent professional help, but Jim helped me in more important ways as well. He had the exceptional quality of making me feel like the most important person in the room and gave me the confidence to weather the storm. Somehow he even found a way to make me laugh. I will always remember his kindness, sincerity and thoughfulness.

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived. From centre cleaners.

Karen: Jim always treated me as a friend and I know how much he meant to the community as well as his love for you and your family. Know that our prayers are with you.

To the Barlow family:

I am happy to say that my last contact with Jim was recent and pleasant. I expect that the trial he had in my court was one of his last, so I can report that his high level of professionalism and honor to the profession through his fine advocacy remained to the end.

Jim was a mentor to many even if from afar. He was one of my first speakers in the "Law School for Non-Lawyers" program that I coordinated for the Ft. Worth-Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association many years ago. What better first choice to speak about Constitutional Law than Jim.

The years since leave me with treasured memories of my professional and personal interactions with this fine man. My shock and sadness upon learning of Jim's passing were profound to the point of asking my informer to repeat what he said. I suppose it says it all to simply relate that this episode of being informed of the sad news is an episode I will always remember.

To the Barlow Family,
I am so very sorry to hear about Mr. Barlow. I have such good memories of his great since of humor from the days of growing up with Karen and spending time with the whole family. I know he will be missed very much. Please know that I am praying for all of you during this very difficult time.
Sincerely,
Mary Rabalais Collins

Karen, Karen and I are shocked by Jim's passing. Jim is one of the finest men I know, an outstanding lawyer, a wonderful sense of humor a deep friend. Our lives will not be the same without him. God Bless you and your family.
Jim and Karen
Palestine

I haven't met many people in my life as uplifting, inspiring and nurturing as Jim. He was larger than life and he celebrated life. Jim was a constant friend to my father, and to our whole family. He was there for us in times of terrible grief-- and he was there with us celebrating times of great joy.

You could never miss him in a room and he never settled for a handshake--rather one of those great hugs that made you feel that all was right with the world.

To Karen, Karen, Ben and Ned, and each member of your precious families, our hearts and prayers go out to you. We are so sorry for the loss of Jim. At the same time, surely this is also cause for celebration for the life of one of the most comprehensive, enlightened, uplifting and loving men. What an honor it is to have known him and what a pleasure it always was to be around him.

God bless each of you.

Ben and Barlow family....Words cannot describe how sadden I am at the passing of such a wonderful and amazing "gentle giant". It is an honor to have known such a kind, loving and compassionate family man and friend. He will be missed by so many whose lives he touched.
The world is a better place by having been blessed by his presence. I will think of Jim every time someone orders a Barlow Bowl, which Jim created and I named after him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you today and always. Now we all have our own "star in Heaven". Love, Betty Fernandez Ruiz and family

Karen, Femi and I are saddened by your great loss. Although we met Jim only a few months ago at Trinity, he was everything people said about him and more. He showed genuine kindness by linking my newly relocated husband, an attorney from Nigeria, with some members of the legal community in Fort Worth.
May God rest his giant and gentle soul in perfect peace, Amen.

Jim Barlow was a true Ambassador. He reached in and touched the souls of all he met; and, made the objects of humanity better by welcoming us each into the embassy of his spirit. It is difficult to imagine the courts of so many lives proceeding on without his ministry in them; but, believe that he impacted us each in such a way that we will call upon his memory many time and again when judgments are silently questioned and direction is needed to light our way.

Karen,
While I didn't know Jim as anyone other than your husband. I always loved the stories you shared about special trips and events. At Xmas parties at your home, he was such a great host. I am so sorry for your, and your family's, great loss.

Dear Barlow Family:
Thank you for sharing your treasure, Jim, with those of us working in the legal field. It was an honor and a pleasure to work with him. Prayers and kind thoughts to you all through this time of great loss.

My time with Jim when we coached boys sports and later as an attorney consultant taught me what makes a good person and a good friend. His love for his family and his outward affection for his children and his regard for others will be my best memories.

There isn't a better family on earth and I pray that God watches over you in this time. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.

Fond memories of Jim will be ours forever.
He always had the time to ask how we were.
His interest in music always amazed me.
Karen, your loss is our loss, too.
May his memory be blessed.

My most sincere and heartfelt condolences.

I want to share a story with you. When I first was licensed to practice law, I took my first deposition with Jim and another lawyer. I knew of Jim's reputation as one of the finest trial lawyers in Tarrant County, and was quite nervious because I respected him so much. After fumbling through several hours in what must of been painful for Jim to have to sit through, I told him I was sorry he had to sit through my first deposition. We were at the library at Hill Gilstrap. He asked me where my office was. I told him. He asked me to take him there, he wanted to see it. Puzzled, I obviously complied. When we got there, he pointed to my license (ink probably still wet) and asked if that was mine. I said, "yes sir." Then he said it looked a lot like his. He then told me that I had the same right to carry a briefcase into court has he and the other lawyer and that I did not have to apologize for practicing my craft. And then with his trademark smile, he said I did a good job.
During the years since, I have always remembered Jim's kindness to me when I've observed a new lawyer fumble all over himself trying to find his way, and have tried to follow Jim's example.
My practice today is, in large part, what it is because Jim took a few extra minutes to encourage a new lawyer.
We need more lawyers and men of integrety like Jim. My prayer is that I could one day become 1/2 the man that Jim was.
Your family is in my prayers this week as you figure out how to carry on the noble tradition of a great man.

Karen I was very sorry to read about Jim's passing. I worked with you years ago on John Hill's campaing for governor. My thoughts are with you.

God bless your broken heart, Karen. I was so shocked to read of Jim's passing that I actually said "Oh, no!" out loud. What a fine man the world has lost. The kindness and empathy he showed me professionally will be remembered always. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. With much love, Lindy

I was so sad and shocked to hear of Uncle Jim's passing. I know how hard this will be for all of you and I wish I could make the pain and hurt subside. Jim was awesome, but I don't have to tell you all that. When I think I Steve Martin I think I Jim and vice versa. He will be missed. I truly hope we can see all of you during the holiday.
Love, Marihelen

Dear Karen, I am so sorry to hear of Jim's death. And I wish I could be there at the memorial service to honor him and lend support to the family. Jim was such a wonderful guy, ever since we've known him in junior high. What a great time we all had together in school. He was solid, smart, genuine, and fair, and so loveable. What a perfect couple the two of you made. My heart goes out to you and the family as you journey through this sad time. We will always remember Jim as one of the shining stars of our group.
Love, Mary Sue Fairchild

I shall miss tremendously those eagerly anticipated but all too few meetings I had with James, at which badinage and persiflage were enjoyably pervasive and at which philosophical and regligious subjects were discussed. Those all too few meetings will always be a source of joy in my memory. If I may borrow, but slightly change, the last line of Hamlet, I would say: "Farewell dear James; may flights of Angels carry you to your rest". Society was the better for him being part of it, and I will miss him greatly.

When my sister and I were growing up across the street from the Barlow family, Mrs Freda Barolw and her children were like an auxiliary family for us. I shall always remember those old days on Rogers Ave and the good times we shared. I am saddened to hear of Jim's death and have the Barlow family in my thoughts and prayers today.

To wife Karen(my 2nd mom growing up) and the children Karen Mary, Ben, and Ned my next door neighbors for many years. Jim was truley the greatest human being I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. A year ago he spent a great deal of time to comfort my father on his last days before he passed. My father and I and Jim would talk for many hours about our families. We always looked up to Jim with the highest regard and respect. I can't begin to tell you all the wonderful things he did for me and my family. He will be missed.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Barlow family. I am the one that called 911 Thursday morning and stayed on the phone with the police until the ambulance arrived. I called the Police department on Friday to find out if he was ok. I was so saddenned to hear about his passing. God has a plan for all of us and one day you will see him again in paradise.
God Bless.

Karen,
Even though it has been decades since I have seen you or Jim, I am very saddened for your loss. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

My family and I were so saddened by the news of Barlow's passing. He's was a favorite of ours along with his very loving and sweet family. Such a positive and complementing man of honor. We will miss him very much. I never saw Jim at a ballgame or school function for Maggie, that he didn't ask how I was and tell me how much he loved my family, in particular our daughter Kathryn. Truly a giant of a man. They say that when it's your time it's your time - that God has a plan for us all. I'm not so sure that during these trying times that the Lord didn't need a pick me up from someone down here. My guess is he called on the right guy to lift his spirits and let him know that because of men like Jim Barlow, it's going to be all right. Love to you all. Kelly, Courtney, Kathryn and Emily.

we have many fond memories of our high school friend jim.....
may God give you peace of heart during this time of your grief.

It was a distinct honor to have known Jim Barlow. Someone with his love of life and sincere caring for humanity will not pass this way again soon!

Karen, Elaine and I are shocked and saddened by the news of Jim's death. Please accept our deep regrets and condolences.

How saddened I am to hear this news. Jim Barlow. My heart goes out to you, Karen and your dear family and all Jim's friends. His exit from our community leaves a big hole in its fabric.

I have never known a finer human being.

Karen, what can I say? I am so, so sorry. I was thinking of the two of you just yesterday. Know my thoughts and prayers are with you. You have helped so many through times like this - I know you will have comfort in knowing we are thinking of you.

One of the best in my life. I will miss him very much. I will never forget his kindness

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

Family,

I am so very sad to hear of my cousin Jim passing. He was a mainstay of the Barlow family.

My prayers and thoughts are with all of you.

Love, Cathy