Alvin G. 'Al' Barlow

Wednesday, July 14, 2004

April 17, 1926-July 12, 2004

Alvin G. Barlow, of Culbertson, died Monday, July 12, 2004, at Community Hospital of McCook at the age of 78.

He was born in a sod house near Palisade to Jesse Louis and Phebe Irene (Harry) Barlow on April 17, 1926. He lived all of his life in Hitchcock County. He attended the Prairie Union School near his home.

On Dec. 18, 1948, Al married Ellen Anderson in Atwood. He began working as a farm hand at a very early age. Later he became a truck driver, a gravel pit operator and a construction worker. He worked on the construction of the Trenton Dam and four section of the area canals. His final occupation was with the Bureau of Reclamation, where he was a heavy equipment operator for 25 years. During this time he fabricated many devices to make his work easier.

Since his retirement in 1989, he has spent many hours doing volunteer work. He often said he didn't know how he ever had enough time to work. He has operated the NOAA weather station in Culbertson since 1990.

Al was on the board of the Hitchcock County Historical Society, the Advisory Board at the Grandview Center in Stratton, the Culbertson Cemetery Board and the Culbertson CIP.

He was one of the original members of the Southwest Nebraska Community Builders.

Al was an avid local historian and he enjoyed state and national history as well.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Raymond, Wilbur and Paul; a granddaughter, Christina Helm; and two great-grandchildren, Brett Barlow and Chelsea Barlow.

Those who cherish his memory are his wife, Ellen; a son, Mike and wife, Reta of Lenora, Kan.; a daughter, Vicki Helm and husband, Mark of Indianola; six grandchildren, Troy Barlow and wife, Lori of Ulysses, Kan., Teresa Jones and husband, Kelly of Abilene, Texas, Trendy Waggoner of Norton, Kan., Tracy Barlow and Trevor Barlow and his wife, Lisa of Bloomington, Ind., and Ben Helm of Indianola; and his sister, Margaret Rodgers of Palisade. He had 15 great-grandchildren and is also survived by many nieces, nephews and special friends.

Funeral services are 10:30 a.m., Friday, at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Culbertson with the Rev. Dan Spearow officiating. Interment will be in the Trenton Cemetery in Trenton. Memorials may be given in his name and friends may call Herrmann Funeral Chapel in Culbertson.

Herrmann Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.