Alan Gregory Barlow, 81, of Portsmouth, passed away on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at the Chillicothe Veterans Hospital. He was born in Washington, DC on August 29, 1945, to the late Walter “Duke” and Doris Elisabeth Butler Barlow.
On June 10, 2007, he married Kay Frances Gibbs Barlow in Portsmouth.
A graduate of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Washington, DC, he joined the U.S. Army and served honorably for more than 30 years, retiring as a First Sergeant. He served in the Pentagon, and during the Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars, earning multiple awards including the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star, Armed Force Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with 2 Bars, Combat Infantry Badge, US Army Gold Recruiter Badge with 3 Sapphire Achievement Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. Alan was a member of the James Dickey Post #23 American Legion and served on the Honor Guard for many years.
After retiring from the Army, Alan was an active member of the Masonic order in Detroit, MI, and worked as a tax consultant and preparer at H&R Block. Deeply committed to his community, he volunteered with McKinley Pool, the Portsmouth City Traffic Committee, and former Mayor Jane Murray’s office. He also helped raise funds to expand the 14th Street Community Center and build the new Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Damon Robbins. Alan also served as a democratic delegate for the State of Ohio during the Obama administration.
Alan is survived by his wife of 19 years, Kay F. Gibbs Barlow; his stepmother, Jackie Barlow of Roanoke, VA; three bonus children, Dionnie (Michael) Barber of Willowick, OH, Deanne (Marvin) Smith of Reynoldsburg, OH, and Chelsea (Angel) Rice of Westlake, OH; two brothers, Joseph G. Manchester of Washington, DC, Alfie Barlow of New Haven, CT; one sister, Valerie L. Jones of Rockville, MD; 12 grandchildren; and his Godson, Isaac Stanley. Alan was also blessed with many great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, their families, and many friends.
He is also preceded in death by the maternal grandmother who reared him, Etta B. “Nanny” Johnson; and two sisters, Lynette Lewis and Leslie Barlow.
Funeral services with Facebook Live Stream will be held at noon on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church with Bishop David Malone officiating. The James Dickey Post #23 Honor Guard will honor Mr. Barlow with a Final Salute. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Please visit the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home Facebook page to view the Live Stream.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at alzfdn.org.
The flag of the U.S. Army will fly at the funeral home in honor of First Sgt. Barlow’s service to our country.
