John Kent Barrow

John K. Barrow 1946 - 2014 John Kent Barrow, 67 of Fort Shaw, MT went to sleep in the arms of Jesus to await His return, October 21, 2014 at Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, following a long and arduous battle with cancer. John was born November 19, 1946 in Alamosa, Colorado, the son and oldest child of Frank Joseph and Velma McFadden Barrow. He along with his younger sister, Susan grew up and attended country schools around Ekalaka, MT, taught by their parents at times and then moved onto Mount Ellis Academy in Bozeman, MT. John graduated from Mount Ellis in 1965, and then went onto attend Walla Walla College in College Place, WA where he earned an Bachelors Degree in Business. During these years, John made many life-long friends that he loved and would often recount stories about to his kids and grandkids. John chose to study language in Germany and took the opportunity to see Europe and broaden his horizons. He loved to travel and took every opportunity to see as many countries and cultures as funds and time afforded him. Later he would take Shirley and Camille to Europe and re-live many of those memories. When he returned home, he and his Dad decided to purchase a Apiary business from Mr. Baldwin in Fort Shaw, Montana That is ultimately how "Bees Best Honey" Company was formed. Joe and John worked together, and were business partners for many years. It was a family business and a source of life-blood for John. It kept him close to his family and was really at the heart of who he was. A guy who liked to work outdoors, have a little risk factor in the work, because you never know when or where you will get stung, and creating a healthy product for people to eat. In 1978, John, was introduced to a widow with three children, one of whom was very ill. Due to the illness, this lady had to drive to Missoula once a week in the dead of winter so her child could see the Dr. and she couldn't drive on icy roads. So John agreed to drive her and her child to the Dr. and their romance was born. On August 30, 1979 in Great Falls, John married Shirley Norhton and adopted her three children. This confirmed bachelor was now off the market and had an instant family! The kids grew up, helped with extracting and earned money for school and clothes, and Dan and Cathy went away to Mount Ellis Academy. Camille became Dad's right hand helper and worked with him in the business until she also left for academy. And then she spent her summers helping him. These were busy years, full of travel and work, and then John became "Papa John". He loved being a grandpa, rough-housing with the kids, playing ball, taking bike rides and walks by the river and imparting his wisdom and experience to his grandkids. As he would repeatedly tell the grandkids, "Watch Your Backside!" In other words, always be alert and protect yourself. Along with his grandchildren, John's hobbies included fishing, canoeing, skiing, traveling to Hawaii, cruising, reading, soaking in his hot tub and spending time with Family and Friends. He had a strong work ethic, a firm faith in his God and a love for his family that runs very deep. Surviving John is his loving wife of 35 years, Shirley of Fort Shaw, son, Daniel (Debbie) Norhton of Helena, MT; Daughters, Catherine (Mike) Parke of Twin Falls, ID and Camille (Wyatt) Wiegand of Fort Shaw, MT; Sister Susan (Bob) Bunn of Billings, MT; grandchildren, Elizabeth Jean Anne Parke, MacKenzie Camille Wiegand, Madison Clio Wiegand, Harrison Wyatt Wiegand, Nicole (Cody) Karnbach, and Danielle (Nick) Peterson; great grandchildren, Kaylee & Kade Karnbach, and Cole & Cash Peterson; nieces, Jessica Bunn of Bozeman, MT; and Alison (Ty) Massar of Circle, MT and their daughter, Justine. Brothers-in-law, Thomas (Judy) Walling of Mission Viejo, CA and Stephen (Lilly) Walling of Hedgesville, WVA, along with numerous cousins, and hosts of friends. John was preceded in death by his parents, Joe & Vee Barrow. Visitation for John will be held Friday, October 24, 2014 from 2:00-7:00 P.M. at the Schnider Funeral Home 1510 13th Street S. Great Falls, MT with Interment to be held in the Sun River Cemetery, Sun River, MT on Saturday, October 25, 2014 at 1:00 p.m.. A Celebration of John's Life will be held Saturday, October 25, 2014 at 4:00 P.M. at the Great Falls Seventh Day Adventist Church, 16 14th Street S. Great Falls, MT. The family requests that donations be made in John's memory to the Seventh Day Church Missions Fund, which you may give at church in envelopes provided or you may go online to www.AdventistMission.org. Those wishing to share memories and condolences may do so on John's memorial webpage at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com.