Raymond Barlow

Mr. Raymond Barlow, age 74, of Hastings passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Wednesday, May 30th, 2018 at Faith Hospice - Trillium Woods in Byron Center, MI.

Raymond was born in Jasper, Alabama on January 2, 1944, the son of the late Louis and Nell (Banks) Barlow.

Ray spent his early childhood years in the Hastings area, and attended local schools through the 6th grade, when he moved to Alabama where he finished his education graduating from Walker County High School in 1961. He returned to Michigan after graduation where he joined the family business, Barlow Nursery. In January 1963, Ray joined the United States Army serving until 1966 when he was honorably discharged. Shortly after being discharged, Ray began working at General Motors and then married Marquita Goodner August 27, 1966 at the First Baptist Church of Hastings. The couple continued their educations, attending Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music after they were married. After the sabbatical for Bible college, Ray returned to General Motors and they moved to Portland, MI, where they began raising a family. In 1975, Ray found a piece of property for sale in Hastings where they built their new home, and Ray & Marquita have lived there ever since.

Ray spent the majority of his working career as a Tool & Die Maker at General Motors and retired in 1996 after 31 years. Ray loved to keep busy and after just one month he returned as a Tool Maker at local tool & die shops in the Woodland and Freeport areas.

Ray enjoyed being outdoors, deer hunting in the fall, turkey hunting in the spring, as well as fishing with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed woodworking, building household items, and when they began wintering in Arizona, Ray began to expand his talents into wood carving. Ray & Marquita have spent the past 14 years wintering in the Phoenix area where Ray could play softball each winter and they enjoyed hiking and Jeeping with friends.

For the past three decades, Ray and his family attended Nashville Baptist Church and, for two decades, each summer Ray played an integral part at Vacation Bible School, helping to build sets and participating in the Bible story skits.

Ray is survived by his beloved wife Marquita, son Lonnie Ray Barlow, two daughters Treva (Rob) Berends and Talmarie (Jon) Halliwill, brother Malcolm (Deborah) Barlow, sister in-law Vicki Barlow, step-sister Gloria (Marvin) Hummel, step-brother Jim (Marilyn) Russell, and 8 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his infant son Chad Jeremy Barlow, parents, brother Nathan Barlow, and step-mother Catherine "Kay" (Conrad) Barlow.

Funeral services will be held at The Nashville Baptist Church, Nashville, MI, at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 6th, with Lester DeGroot officiating.

The family will receive visitors on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 5:30-7 PM at the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville. There will also be an opportunity to visit with the family beginning at 10 AM, one hour prior to the funeral service at Nashville Baptist Church.

Interment will take place privately at Brush Ridge Cemetery in Hastings, MI.

Memorial contributions may be made to Barry County Christian School, Camp Michawana, and the Gideons.

Funeral services have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, MI. For further details, please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net