Howard Steven "Steve" Barlow's Obituary
Howard Steven (Steve) Barlow, 73, Auburn, Georgia went to be with the Lord on June 16, 2023, in Braselton, Georgia. Steve was born on April 19, 1950, in Ocala, Florida to his parents James Hubert Barlow and Theda (Nelson) Barlow. He lived in Wildwood, Florida until age 9 when his family moved to Gainesville, Florida where he attended elementary, middle school and high school. Steve worked in equipment set-up and maintenance at General Electric in Alachua, Florida.
He attended Santa Fe Community College and Hillsborough Community College where he completed an Associate of Science degree in Opticianry Dispensing Technology. Steve was not only qualified to dispense glasses, but he could also cut the blanks to fit frames and surface the lenses for the prescription.
In 1982 he passed the Georgia examination to become a Licensed Optician. During his career he worked for several companies including Pearl, OptiWorld/Lenscrafters, Wal-Mart, as well as individual optometrists.
He lived in Auburn, Georgia for the past 30 years. Prior to moving to Georgia, he resided in Tampa, Florida. Steve was very interested in outdoor activities. He was an avid reader of fishing, hunting and wildlife magazines and conducting online research on those subjects. He was also an avid reader of automobile magazines, and his most recent prized possession was his 2019 Mustang GT. He was of the Methodist faith.
He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law: James Hubert Barlow, Jr., and Patricia Barlow of Big Canoe, Georgia; 2 nephews: Patrick Barlow of Decatur, Georgia and Christopher Barlow and his wife Deanna of St. Simons Island, Georgia; 2 great nephews: Dukes Barlow and Wells Barlow of St. Simons Island, GA; a great niece: Alta Barlow of St. Simons Island, GA; and a host of cousins.
A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 11:00AM at Greenwood Cemetery in Wildwood, Florida with Pastor Derrel Strickland officiating.
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