Jo Carol Barlow, a longtime resident of the Lansing and Leavenworth, formerly of Great Bend lost her battle with cancer on July 23, 2021 at the Legend Healthcare in Tonganoxie.
Jo was born April 15, 1953 in Great Bend, Kansas, the daughter of Adelbert and Patricia Barlow. She is survived by her sister, Lee (Stanley) Durler and two nieces, Jamie Durler and Jodie Brice (Phillip, Kaden (son).
Ms. Barlow graduated from Great Bend Senior High School - Class of 1971 and from Barton Community College in 1973, and the Weaver Airline Personnel School in 1974.
Jo enjoyed a variety of careers in her life. She worked for Thill Printing, Fuller Brush, Delta Air Lines, Army National Bank, Home Depot, and the Lansing Correctional Facility where she worked as a Corrections Officer in a maximum-security male prison for fourteen years, retiring on April 30, 2021. Jo was known for her communication skills as well as her organizational skills.
Ms. Barlow was also involved in Community Service while with the Leavenworth County Red Cross. Jo served on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. She was trained in CPR and Basic First Aid. Jo was also a trained member of the American Red Cross Disaster Team - and she responded to disasters within and outside the United States.
Jo loved to travel. From the early days, camping with her family throughout the country, to her trips to Eastern Europe, England, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Holland, France, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Argentina. She was an artist, a singer, a musician, a photographer, a massage therapist, a VCR repair person, an accomplished Square Dancer, and she was a Ham Radio enthusiast.
Jo loved her family, friends, and her many rescue dogs. One of her favorites, “Lady”, a Lab/Pit mix she rescued from a local shelter, recently passed away.
Jo was a member of the First Baptist Church of Leavenworth where she sang in the choir. Pastor Jerry Wells and church members visited Jo often and that brought her joy. Donations can be made in Jo Barlow’s honor to the First Baptist Church (340 N. 13th Street Leavenworth, Kansas 66048). Ms. Barlow requested no service.
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 18, 2021#
