James Burton Barlow

James B. Barlow started his new journey with the Lord on October 19th 2016, age 86. Jim was born on December 10th 1929 in Portland Oregon to Ethel and Burton Barlow. Upon his mother’s death Ruth and Floyd Barlow lovingly raised Jim, in the Portland area. He was an active life-long member of the

Sunnyside United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday school and philosophy classes for 60 years.

Jim graduated from Franklin High School in 1947 and later attended Lewis and Clark College and Oregon State University where he received a B.S. in History and Master in Education. Jim taught High school for 42 years in the Beaverton School District from 1962 – 2005, including Sunset High School 1962-69 and Aloha High School 1969–2005. During his long career as an educator, Barlow was the recipient of numerous awards both locally and nationally, including “Teacher of the Year”, for his innovative style of teaching. After retirement, Jim Barlow and Anil Naik began to co-write a book regarding the philosophy of education, the book “Unfettered: A philosophy of education” is being finalized by Anil and will soon be available in Jim’s honor. Mr. Barlow also held senior leadership roles within Oregon High School International Relations League Model United Nations, the Oregon Council for the Social Studies and Advanced Placement Teachers of the State of Oregon.

In 1964, he founded the Model Presidential Nominating Convention in which thousands of students from across the region participated in a boisterous and authentic convention, run entirely by high school students. Barlow was the instructor and guide, allowing his students to completely plan and run each convention. These students would work continuously for four years to achieve the final product. The convention became an important fixture in Oregon’s presidential politics and grew so large that it was held at the Memorial Coliseum for the last three decades. National leaders such as Robert Kennedy, Nelson Rockefeller, George McGovern, Hubert Humphrey, Jesse Jackson, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Michael Dukakis and Bill Clinton, amongst many others who visited and gave speeches to the thousands of high school students that were involved in the convention.

James is survived by his wife Susan (Olney) Barlow of 47 years; his sister Lois (Barlow) Lassell, sister-in-law Margaret Olney, his brother-in-law Kenneth Olney, his Nephews Steve Hiatt, Mike Hiatt, Mark Hiatt and Paul Olney, his nieces Susie McDonald, Sarah Hart, Marie Lassell, Erin Lassell and Lisa (Lassell) Pozzi.

James was predeceased by his brother Paul Barlow and his sister Audrey Hiatt.

He will forever be remembered for his sense of humor, intellect, passion, love of the Lord and his love for life and all it has to offer.

Celebration of Life will be conducted by Rev. Dr. Chuck Currie.

Sunnyside Methodist Church

October 29th 2016 6:30PM

3520 SE Yamhill Street

Portland Or. 97214