Leon Percy Barlow Jr.

Leon Percy Barlow Jr., also known as “Hap” to his friends and “Pop” to his family, 96, of Utica, passed away on Sept. 30, 2025. A service was held on Oct. 2 at Pine Bluff Baptist Church, with interment at Pine Bluff Cemetery. Stringer Family Funeral Home in Hazlehurst handled arrangements.

Mr. Barlow was a devoted man of faith and a proud member of Pine Bluff Baptist Church. He deeply cherished time spent with his family and found great joy in sharing his love of cooking with those around him. He was especially known among close friends and family for his famous “Pop’s Burger,” a beloved favorite at gatherings. Throughout his life, Mr. Barlow raised cattle and roping horses–a passion he continued well into retirement.

Mr. Barlow served in the US Air Force during the Korean War. In 1950, after basic training, he came home on Christmas Eve and married the love of his life, Rachel Harris, as soon as the Circuit Clerk’s office opened on Dec. 26 by Bro. Lowery in Hermanville. Six weeks later, he was deployed to England for two years. He and his beloved wife built a 75-year-long marriage grounded in faith, love, and mutual respect, a lasting example to all who knew them.

He built a long and respected career as a foreman at LeTourneau in Vicksburg, where his skilled hands helped weld oil rigs. As a foreman with exceptional leadership skills, he led teams of men worldwide in the installation of oil rigs.

In his later years, he found great fulfillment in caring for his grandchildren, who were the light of his life.

Mr. Barlow was preceded in death by his parents, Leon Percy Barlow Sr. and Rebecca Jasper Barlow; and sisters, Rachel Barlow Goodson and Rebecca Barlow Jackson.

He is survived by his true love of 75 years, wife, Rachel Elise Harris Barlow; sons, Robert Leon (Bob) Barlow (Cindy), of Terry, and Ronald Harris (Ronnie) Barlow (Betty), of Utica; daughter, Rachel Lynne Barlow Brown (Terry), of Terry; grandchildren, Jessica Barlow Vaughn (Zach), Colton Terry Brown (Karley), and Cassidy Brown Marler (Christian); great-grandchildren, Jackson Vaughn, Katherine Vaughn, Lane Brown, and Annelise Brown; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Pine Bluff Baptist Church, 11188 Dentville Road, Hazlehurst, MS 39083.