James Archer Barlow, 78, passed away May 29, 2026. Born Aug. 13, 1947, he was one of two sets of twin boys born to William and Mary Jane (Edwards) Barlow. He spent his childhood on Dutch Hill in Roscoe until the family moved to Walton in 1961 where they ran a dairy farm on Marvin Hollow. He graduated from Walton High School in the notorious Class of 1965, attended the New York State Ranger School in Wanakena and graduated from SUNY Delhi college in 1969. He was drafted into the Army in 1969 and served a year tour in Vietnam.
When he got out of the service, Jim married his college sweetheart Ellen (Sharp) Barlow in Delhi April 17, 1971. He then started his career with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service (SCS) in their field office in Cooperstown where they lived until 1979 when he was transferred to the Walton field office of SCS until his retirement. He had worked on many of the farms in the area overseeing their conservation measures. After retiring he was a Walton School crossing guard for 11 years, which he enjoyed so much interacting with the school kids.
Jim was very civic minded - he had been an American Legion and VFW member since 1973 and served a term as commander of the Cooperstown Post. He was also very involved with the Boy Scouts in both Otsego and Delaware counties and earned the Silver Beaver highest adult award. In addition, he had been in the fire departments in Cooperstown, Hartwick Seminary and over 30 years in the Walton Fire Department.
Jim love nature - hunting, fishing, camping, feeding, and watching the birds and had been on several hiking trips with coworkers in the Adirondack Mountains. He was a very social person and loved to talk to people. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Ellen, one brother Richard of Delhi, sisters-in-law Margaret Sharp (twin sister to Ellen) of Walton, Nancy Barlow of Delhi and Trudy Barlow of Iowa, several cousins, and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, his twin brother William of Delhi, brother David of Delhi and sister-in-law Christie Barlow of Delhi.
Calling hours will be held at the Courtney Funeral Home, 25 Towsend Street, Walton, Thursday, June 4, from 6-8 p.m. with burial in Walton Cemetery, 55 Fancher Ave., Walton, Friday, June 5 at 12 p.m.
