Thomas Jefferson Barlow III, 76, of Paducah, died Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at Baptist Health Paducah.
Tom was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland. He graduated high school from Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C., and was awarded a degree in history from Haverford College in Pennsylvania. He served as a Democratic representative for Kentucky’s 1st District for one term, 1993-94 in the 103rd Congress. As an environmentalist, Tom sponsored many bills that aimed to improve natural resources and education. He was a former director of River City Missions, member of Lone Oak Kiwanis Club, and member of Grace United Methodist Church in LaCenter.
He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Shirley Pippin Barlow; children, Allison Barlow Ochshorn (David) of New York; son, Thomas J. Barlow IV of Michigan; grandchildren, Nora Barlow and Rose Barlow residing in England, Tessa Ochshorn and Sarah Ochshorn both of New York; sister, Henrietta Friedholm (Roger) of Michigan; brother, William Barlow (Judy) of Colorado; step-children, Gerri Clark of Paducah, Elaine Duke (Ron) of Tennessee, Edward Yancy of Kentucky; step-grandchildren, Chad Clark of Kentucky, Brandon Duke (Alyson) of Tennessee, Eliza Clark of Kentucky, and Wesley Duke of Tennessee.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Cliff Barlow; and parents, Thomas J. Barlow, II and Lee Maddox Barlow.
Funeral services will be held at 2pm Saturday at Milner & Orr Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Paducah with Pastor James Lee and Pastor Charles Moore officiating. Burial will follow at Barlow Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 10am Saturday at the funeral home.
Contributions may be made to River City Mission, 1466 Bechtold Road, Paducah, KY 42003.
You may leave a message of sympathy or light a memorial candle at www.milnerandorr.com.