Barlow Miles Westcott

He told stories of riding his bike to the various villages nearby, summers at the swimming hole, as he got older sharing the driving of his friend’s motorcycle (trading out being in front when the cold got to them) and as a passenger in a friend’s car not understanding why it kept stopping when the driver wasn’t touching the brakes. Barlow was! Whenever he got nervous and stepped on the very thin floor boards – stomping on the brake line!

Barlow helped Roscoe Whitman, who wrote the definitive work on Stukely Westcott, find a grave stone that contributed to the history of the family. He was at the inaugural meeting of the Society of Stukely Westcott Descendants of America, later becoming president of the Society.

As a Freshman in high school, he suggested that he and all his classmates put a dime a week in an account so that, as Seniors, they could take a trip to Washington DC and New York City. It worked! Barlow’s father drove the bus and the Principal and a teacher accompanied the students. They had saved enough money to pay for the trip and have a formal dinner in New York. Barlow said for some reason his classmates thought he knew how to act at formal meals, so didn’t start eating until he led the way.

During school Barlow worked at the local Victory (grocery) Store #148. The job included delivering groceries. He said he never got tips but knew the location of every cookie jar in town. He caddied at the local golf club for a dime a round. After graduation he worked at the Butternut Valley Hardware store. The depression was getting hard and money was in short supply so after a year the job became part time. Barlow’s father would never teach him how to milk cows because he did not want him to be a farmer. Although his parents were not happy about it, Barlow enlisted in the military. He wanted the Navy but the closest recruiter was Army.

Enlisting on 31 January 1940, his first assignment was Mitchell Field on Long Island. His requests for assignment after basic were Hawaii and the Philippines. In March, after training on a cold snowy day, he and 149 of the new troops were loaded on a train. Twenty-four hours later they arrived in Tampa, Florida. From snow and cold to sunny and warm – Barlow said right then he was never going back to New York to live – and he never did.

He was stationed at McDill Field, which at that time had 3 barracks and no electricity or water in the kitchens. Needless to say, there have been some big changes since those days. Barlow volunteered – at McDill and future assignments - for KP. He said it was better than guard duty! Barlow’s first commander was 2nd Lt. “Killer” Kane, who later led the Ploesti Oil Raid. While stationed at McDill, he attended schools at Scott Field, Illinois (while there he and a cousin and uncle attended his first professional baseball game in St. Louis seeing the Cardinals play), and Lowery Field in Denver, Colorado.

Barlow then went to Dale Mayberry Field in Tallahassee, Florida. During that time, he took part in the 1941 maneuvers in Louisiana, where for 3 months the troops had the good luck to live in the National Guard Armory, and North Carolina, which meant tents in weather cold enough to freeze water! He was also fortunate to meet the love of his life on a blind date at the Florida State Capital! He married Ruth May Bailey (02/25/1918 – 09/18/2005) on 31 January 1942. On 25 February 1942 he sailed for Trinidad, BWI – his first birthday present to Ruth! The ship sailed by itself – no escort. The German submarines chased the ship all over the Caribbean Sea. They finally ran out of supplies and had to make port in San Juan, Puerto Rico for more food and water. The tour was 29 months.

Upon his return to the States, Barlow’s outfit headed for additional training in Fresno, California and from training was headed to the Pacific. Ruth and Barlow drove across country in a 1937 Buick at 35 miles an hour. No flats, no repairs – they did however have to show their marriage license at every motel. Barlow learned on that trip, that when Ruth said she was hungry what she truly meant was ‘stop at the first restaurant you come to – now if not sooner!’. Barlow was lucky enough to be chosen as an instructor and remained in the US, transferring to Hill Field, Ogden, Utah and then to Wendover, Utah. The war ended and Barlow transferred to Lowery for discharge.

The next five years Barlow worked running the block plant for Bailey, Westcott and Bailey (Build With Blocks) the company he formed with Ruth’s father and brother. When demand for blocks slowed, Barlow went to work painting and growing fruit in Clermont, Florida. Barlow had enlisted in the active reserve upon discharge. Hearing that the Air Force needed aircraft mechanics, and that he could retain his rank of T/Sgt, Barlow requested a recall at the start of the Korean War, during which he spent 18 months in Japan.

Barlow’s assignments included Keesler, Eglin, and Lowery. In 1959 the family took a trip around the Western US. While in Yosemite, a bear decided there was food in that chuck box! Throwing it to get it open then ripping it with its claws. When Barlow built something, it was solid – the bear did not get inside. The children (Phylinda, Nancetta and Barlow – sorry Jennifer you weren’t around yet) never woke up as Barlow carried them one by one to the car and safety.

Barlow was assigned to Rhine Main AFB in Frankfurt, Germany for three years. Driving a 9 passenger, huge station wagon, through Europe was challenging. Many adventures were enjoyed(?) by the entire family – a night sharing a campground with gypsies, waking up in Lichtenstein to a chorus of church bells, and Ruth’s walking tours of EVERY city.

Barlow and Ruth decided to return to the US by ship from Germany. The family traveled aboard the SS United States. Slightly nervous when assigned one of two tables in the very front of the dining room that would seat 6, the children behaved themselves and all went well. Everyone tried all the unusual dishes on the menu, and Jennifer (4 at the time) cleaned out all the strawberries on board the ship! Son Barlow played the horses every night. One of Barlow’s favorite stories was that, upon disembarking, the family assembled, hooked up with their luggage and all papers ready, waited for the customs official. Barlow watched as another passenger bothered that official to process him. Over and over. Barlow kept watch as, after the family was processed with just a few questions, no luggage check and a ‘welcome home’, the official moved on to the other passenger. That passenger had to open every bag, go through every item and answer numerous questions!

After 12 months in Thailand during the Vietnam War, Barlow retired in 1967. His service during World War II and indeed his entire military career was an important part of his life for his entire life.

Following his Air Force career, Barlow spent several years servicing planes that Air Force Academy Cadets used for training. During the years he spent as the Recorder of Al Kaly Shrine Temple, he organized – and enjoyed – numerous trips all over the world. As the youngest, Jennifer was able to travel with them to Spain, Hawaii, and England. Upon he and Ruth’s retirement, they traveled extensively, including a trip around the world. The boy from the village of Gilbertsville in upstate New work made it to every continent but Antarctica.

Ruth and Barlow planned a retirement cabin in the mountains west of Colorado Springs. Buying a ‘kit’ based on plans drawn by Ruth’s brother, Barlow – and children – built a three story, 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, chalet. Great times were had at Lachenwald.

Barlow spent a number of years providing support and care to Ruth. The love of his life passed away in September, 2005. Daughter, Nancetta, insisted Barlow travel with her in November to spend Thanksgiving in Chile. On that first trip Barlow became the darling of the owners and staff at Hosteria la Colina, and was known thereafter as ‘Don Barlow’. His 6 trips to Chile included flying over Villarrica Volcano in a Cessna, crossing into Argentina several times and celebrating daughter Phylinda’s birthday with a pizza party on top of a mountain with a 360° view!

Many trips followed to graduations, weddings, spring training, baby showers for future great grandchildren, cruises, and to Washington DC with Honor Flight of Southern Colorado – Barlow enjoyed each and every trip. He loved meeting new people, inquiring as to their origins and sharing stories. In 2018, with the help of grandson Steve and his girlfriend, Barlow returned to the St. Louis Cardinals and was honored at a game for his service in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. The entire stadium was on their feet cheering as his picture was on the big screen.

He made many good friends throughout his life, and simply by his actions, inspired his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Barlow supported, disciplined and, on occasion, rescued his children, always appreciating them as the people they are!

To the end, Barlow was charming to everyone, charismatic and found joy everywhere.

Barlow is survived by his children, Phylinda Westcott Romero, Nancetta R. Westcott, Barlow M. Westcott II (Nancy Vandenburg Westcott), and Jennifer Westcott Ley (Christoper J C Ley), his grandchildren, William Barlow Gelow, Steven Lee Stowers, James Robert Gelow, M. Jenifer Williams, Margaret Westcott Wiatrowski, Ann Westcott  Sundermeyer, Adrienne Michelle Ley, Jeremey Frank Miles Ley, and great grandchildren, Alex Stowers, Reagan Stowers, Riley Stowers, Nona Hayde Gelow, Amanda Rose Gelow, Axel Richard Wiatrowski, Edward Barlow Wiatrowski, Otto Vincent Wiatrowski, and Ford Westcott Sundermeyer.

Memorial donations be made to

Honor Flight of Southern Colorado, PO Box 50816, Colorado Springs, CO 80949 or at www.honorflightsoco.us, or

Al Kaly Shrine Transportation Fund, PO Box 193, Pueblo, CO 81002.