Michael Allen Barlow, Sr.

Mr. Michael Allen Barlow, Sr., age 73, of Dalton, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, September 13, 2025.

Mike was born on Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24, 1951, in Atlanta, Georgia, to the late Mr. James Albert Barlow and the late Mrs. Eleanor Carolyn Odom Cooper.

Mike was an ordained minister of the Baptist faith, and he loved the Lord.  He was a United States Army veteran of the Vietnam War, where he obtained several service medals, including a Purple Heart.  He worked as a machine mechanic in the carpet industry, spending much of his career working for Oriental Weavers.  After retiring from the carpet industry, Mike worked as a security officer at the Dalton Mall.  He worked there until May of this year, when his declining health prevented him from being able to work while also on oxygen.

Mike enjoyed cooking, working in his yard, and fixing things around his house.  He loved watching races on TV.  He had a vast collection of vinyl records and model cars.  Even when he got to a point where he wasn't able to do much of anything because of his declining health, he still never gave up.  He even made sure to take his mother-in-law to dialysis every day that he was able to, despite having his own health struggles.

In addition to his parents, Mike is preceded in death by two of his wives, Wanda Barlow and Patricia Barlow; his infant daughter, Crystle Barlow; his sister, Terrie Kapehart; his brother, Steve Barlow; and his stepdaughter, Nancy Suddeth.

Mike is survived by his loving wife of sixteen years, Lesia Smith Barlow; his son, Michael Barlow, Jr.; his grandson, Zackery Winter; his great-grandson, Layne Winter; his stepsons, Brandon Godfrey (Angela Saylor), David Wimpy, and Marty Wimpy; and his mother-in-law, Bobbie Holloway.

No public or formal services are scheduled for Mike at this time.  He will be laid to rest at a later date at the Chattanooga National Cemetery with Military Honors rendered by the American Legion Post no. 112.

Condolences and messages of sympathy may be expressed for Mike's family through Love Funeral Home's online guestbook.