Joseph Augustus “Gus” Barlow, 92, died July 20, 2018 at Riverside Healthy Living Community in Smithfield.   He was born on Aug. 26, 1925 in Smithfield.   He was the son of Gurley Ambrose Barlow Sr. and Alice Mazlin Barlow and was a lifelong resident of Smithfield.

Gus is predeceased by his wife (Dorothy) Jean Walls Barlow; parents; sister, Agnes Lee Barlow Vaughan and husband Thomas; brother, Gurley A. Barlow Jr. and wife Barbara; brother, John C. Barlow; and daughter, Holly Jean Barlow Pugh.

Gus is survived by his brother John’s wife, Catherine Barlow Duncan; daughter, Karen Louise Barlow and husband David L. Reese of Westborough, Mass.; grandson, Philip Barlow Reese and granddaughter Allison Barlow Reese; nieces, Judy Meredith Hodges (Jesse), Barbara Alice Barlow (Robert Bucknall), Catherine Lee Barlow, Patricia Barlow Donaldson (William); four grandnieces; and several great-grandnieces and grandnephews.

Gus graduated as senior class president of Smithfield High School in 1942.  He served in World War II in the U.S. Marine Corp 3rd Marine Division and “A” Co. 2nd MP.BN.FMF Pacific, CINCPAC Advance Headquarters under Admiral Chester Nimitz on Guam.

Gus graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1950 with a degree in dairy science and helped run the family dairy farm in Smithfield until 1973.  He married Jean on May 24, 1952.  

After farming, Gus worked for Cofer Chevrolet, Gwaltney Motor Company and Pomoco Motor Co. until retiring at age 82.

He was past president of Isle of Wight County Farm Bureau, past president of Smithfield Ruritan Club, and past commander of American Legion Geo. F. Dashiell Post 49.  From the Smithfield Ruritan and Rotary clubs, he received the Man of the Year award in 1971.

Gus was a lifelong member of Smithfield Baptist Church and a member of the Jersey Cattle Club.

The family would like to extend grateful thanks to Joellen O’Neil, his special caretaker, whose patience, love and personal sacrifices were a great comfort to Gus, and likewise, thank the staff at Riverside Healthy Living Community for their care and service for the past four years.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 26, 11 a.m. at Smithfield Baptist Church, 100 Wainwright Dr. Smithfield with Dr. Donald Rhoton officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service and a reception will follow the service in the Family Life Center. Burial will be in Ivy Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Smithfield Baptist Church Scholarship Fund, 100 Wainwright Drive, Smithfield, VA 23430, or the Smithfield Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 117, Smithfield, VA 23430. Condolences may be registered at RWBakerFH.com.