Clarence Alvah Barrows, Jr., a devoted, loving, loyal and much loved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Uncle, Friend, and a retired Veteran of the Korean conflict and the Vietnam War joined his Lord on November 9, 2022.
Clarence, or Buzz, as he was known to family, friends, Masonic brethren and coworkers, was born in Kansas City, Missouri on March 2, 1936. At age 17, he quit high school and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on April 13, 1953, during the Korean conflict. On May 7th, 1959, he switched services and joined the United States Army to further his education and training. He retired from the military on June 1, 1976 a Sergeant First Class with 23 years of honorable and distinguished service.
During his 23 years of service to America, he was awarded:
The Bronze Star, The Army Meritorious Service Medal, The Army Commendation Medal, The Army Good Conduct Medal with 5 knots, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Korean Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 6 Campaign Stars, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, 5 Presidential Unit Citations. He served 2 tours in Vietnam, the last tour with his beloved 101st Airborne Division as a Battalion Supply Sergeant for the 501 Signal Battalion, 1968-1969.
While stationed in Fort Monmouth, NJ in 1959, Buzz met Barbara Anne Guttormsen on October 4th, on October 18th he proposed and Barbara accepted. On October 31st, payday, he bought her an engagement ring. Buzz and Barbara were married on January 16,1960. During their 44 years of wonderful marriage, Barbara blessed Buzz with 2 sons, Donald, and Clarence III, and daughter Bonnie.
Buzz entered the military as a 10th grade drop-out and acquired his high school education while in the US Marines and received his diploma from Westport High School, Kansas City, MO on December 3, 1956.
Upon retirement from the military in 1976, he began night school with Columbia College, St. Louis campuses, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in June 1980. He immediately began his quest for more knowledge and graduated from Webster University, St. Louis, MO, on October 11, 1983 with a Master of Arts Degree in Procurement Management.
Buzz retired a 2nd time, again from government, this time from General Services Administration, Fort Worth, Texas, on April 13, 1997 with a total of 38 years of honorable service to America.
He was a Past Master of Gardenville Lodge, N. 655, AF & AM, Afton, MO; a Brother and Secretary of Union Lodge, #593, AF & AM, Union, MO; a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite member; a devoted and loyal Noble of the Ancient Order of the Mystic Shrine and a member of the Shrine Bedouin Oriental Band, Fort Worth, TX.
He was an active and loyal member of Yesterday's Cruisers Car Club of Gerald, Missouri, serving as Public Relations Officer and Secretary.
Buzz was preceded in death by his loving and much loved wife of 44 years, Barbara Anne Barrows on February 28, 2004.
He is survived by son, Donald Nelson Barrows and wife Mary of High Ridge, MO, son Clarence Alvah Barrows III, and wife Julie of Columbia, MO, and daughter Bonnie Cathleen Barrows of Waco, Texas, adopted daughter Anne Henson of Eustace, Texas.
Grandchildren, Donald Barrows Jr and Wife Cat of High Ridge, Missouri, Caitlyn Pittman and Husband Andy of St. Clair, Missouri, Jackie Barrows of Columbia, Missouri, Clarence A. "Cody" Barrows, IV and wife Kalen of Columbia, Missouri, Jeremy Barrows and wife Scarlett of Granbury, Texas, Ruben Martinez, Jr and wife Missy of Granbury, Texas and Timothy Henson, Jr of Waco,Texas, adopted granddaughter Brittany Hughes, TN.
Great-grandchildren, Elijah and Riley to Donald and Cat Barrows, Sean, Mikayla, Diesel and Axel to Caitlyn and Andy Pittman, Callahan to Cody and Kalen Barrows, Arrowyn and Alannah to Jeremy and Scarlett Barrows, Max and Toby to Ruben and Missy Martinez.
As well as Nancy Evans and family, San Francisco, CA, LeAnna Brawner, Cedar Park, Texas, and numerous loving and much loved friends.
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