Barlow, Raymond 'Ray'

Raymond “Ray” Barlow, 42, of Summerdale, Ala., formerly of Center Point, lost a courageous battle with cancer Friday, Oct. 18, 2013. Per Ray's request, there will be no service held.

Survivors include his fiancee, Erin Hodges; parents, Alan and Sandy Krueger of Center Point; daughter, Cori Barlow of Oelwein; sisters, Jenny Barlow Petrick and husband Jim of Springville; a nephew, Jesse Petrick; an uncle, Rick Krueger; his grandma, Marie Krueger-Storey; and close special friends, including Aaron Zuck, Shelby Christensen, Chad Diveley and James Reid.

He was preceded in death by his father, William J Barlow; brother, Tye Sanders; and uncle, Dean Krueger.

He graduated from Center Point Urbana High School in 1989. Ray was employed at Cargill Bean Plant in Cedar Rapids as an operator. He was an active member of the local Union Teamster's 238. In his spare time, Ray enjoyed spending time with family and friends, loved to play poker on the local circuit and enjoyed fishing and being outdoors. He was also a die-hard Alabama Crimson Tide and Minnesota Vikings football fan. Ray was a very giving and caring person who loved to help others and considered all of his friends a part of his family. Ray was a great mentor and he will be greatly missed by many.

Please continue to Pay it Forward as Ray always did.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at Wells Fargo under Ray it Forward, which will be donated to the University of Iowa Children's Hospital.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to his celebration of life that was held Oct. 5, 2013, at Pittsys in Center Point. We had a great turnout and made his day epic.

Published in The Gazette Oct. 22, 2013.