On Friday, May 31, 2019, Gene S. Bartlow, Col, USAF-Ret., devoted husband for 52 years and father of three, passed away at the age of 79.

Gene was born on December 19, 1939 in Alma, OK to Christopher and Mildred Bartlow. He received his BA in Speech Communication and Education and History from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in 1962. He joined the Air Force in 1963, and retired in 1990.

Gene was a gentle soul, but more like a hard nut to crack with squishy insides. He'd cry at sad movies. He liked things to be in order as everything had its place. But he craved adventure and loved James Bond and Star Trek. He spent his youth in the high school band and was a band major. His favorite music came from the 70's, and especially liked music from the band Chicago. He loved mystery novels having wrote one himself and history books having spent years studying the Civil War, especially Gettysburg.

He loved the Air Force and was proud of what he was able to accomplish. He'd want to remind me to tell you that he was a courier in Afghanistan and Vietnam and that he stole the love his life from a friend and was unashamed about it. On January 13, 1967, he married Karin Jacobsen.

He provided for and loved his whole family. Sometimes he fumbled when doing the right thing but like all humans he was flawed and we loved him for it.

He loved walks in interesting places. He could walk for miles if it was a historic location.

He liked to tease but was a good sport.

He was a debate coach before joining the Air Force and loved to argue. He usually won.

Even still he was a good friend.

Even better father and husband.

He is reunited with his parents, Christopher and Mildred, and his brother Cary Bartlow. He is survived by his wife, Karin, a daughter, Karie, and her husband Jon Parsons, another daughter, Christina, and her husband, Stephen and a son, Erik and his wife, Jennifer. He is further survived by his grandchildren; Ethan, Aidan, Alyssa, Emily, Sophia, Kaelynn, Maree, Oliver, and Maegahn and nephews Brad and Scott.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday,  June 26, 2019 at the Houston National Cemetery at 9:30 am. For those wishing to attend, please arrive no earlier than 9:15 am, and proceed to Lane 1 at the Houston National Cemetery.

The family would request that you not send flowers but donate to The Parkinson's Foundation, https://parkinson.org/ways-to-give .