Cletis Barlow

Former Piggott school board member Cletis Leon Barlow, 76, of Piggott, died Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the V.A. Medical Center in Poplar Bluff.

Barlow, a longtime Piggott resident, served on the school board in the mid 1980's and at one time ran for mayor. An avid flyer, he also served on the airport commission. He was an antique car enthusiast and was involved in the early RodRuns and came to be known as a tireless supporter of the community.

Barlow was retired from the military and was a Purple Heart recipient, having been wounded in Korea on Nov. 29, 1950. His accomplishments and successes after military retirement were many. He was a KFC franchise owner in the Springfield area for many years, a flight simulator instructor for Spartan Aviation, base safety officer at Blytheville Air Force base, a civilian pilot for the Air Force, a tropical fish breeder and even drove trucks on the Canadian ice roads.

Born July 12, 1932, in Indianola, Okla., to the late Early and Magdaline Barlow, he was one of 12 children. He was married Jan. 26, 1954, to Joann Benbrook of Piggott, with whom he had two children, Jerry Barlow and Kay Barlow Dehart. His wife and son preceded him in death, along with nine brothers and a sister.

He was married to Peggy Ann Barlow of Pleasant Plains on July 30, 1987. He was of the Methodist faith.

Survivors include his wife, Peggy Barlow of Piggott; his daughter, Kay DeHart of Piggott; his step-children, Carl Parrish of Paragould and Joni Sample of Germantown, Tenn.; three grandchildren, Mallory Sample, Jake Sample and Alexa DeHart; one brother, Dean Barlow of Amarillo, Texas; one sister, Judy Cochran of Edmund, Okla., and many relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 9, at the First United Methodist Church in Piggott with Jerry Morgan and John Sandine officiating. Pallbearers were Jeff Benbrook, Mark Howell, Brent Ezell, Chuck Minton, Jeff Vernon and Barry Johnson. Honorary pallbearers were James Featherston, Leland Gibson, Jack Ballard, Charles Hinkle, Danny Brown, Dr. James Sheridan, Marshall Wheeler and Bob Hoskins. Graveside services were held Saturday, Jan. 10, at Green Hill Cemetery in Muskogee, Okla.

Hoggard and Sons Funeral Home of Piggott was in charge of arrangements.