Obituary: Ronald Wade Barrow
Ronald Wade Barrow took the hand of his Savior and entered the gates of heaven on January 9th, 2024. Ronald, who was affectionately known as “Goo Goo” to almost all that knew him, was born on January 8, 1941, the youngest of eleven children, in the Shine Community of Greene County to the late Samuel and Nola Barrow.
Ronald graduated from Snow Hill High School in 1959 and was drafted into the U.S. Army in November 1963. After training at Ft. Benning, GA, he was deployed to South Vietnam with the 1ST BN, 7TH CAV, Bravo Company in October 1965. On November 14, 1965, Bravo Co became engaged in the first major battle of the US Forces against the North Vietnamese at the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley, LZ X-Ray which resulted in 76 Americans killed and 121 wounded. The battle at LZ X-Ray was documented in the CBS special report “Battle of Ia Drang Valley” by Morley Safer and the critically acclaimed book “We Were Soldiers Once... And Young” by General Hal Moore and Joseph L. Galloway. In 2002 the book was adapted into a movie depicting many of the harrowing details of the battle. Ronald faithfully attended the annual 1st BN reunions around the USA with his Army brothers that had suffered and seen so much life lost during the battle. In 2022 his friend, Chris Tyndall and “Goo” penned a book about “Goo’s” life in eastern North Carolina and his time serving the country and the God he so loved.
After leaving the Army, Ronald worked most of his life in construction with the Iron Welders Union. As he neared retirement, he decided to set up a pecan shelling business at his home as his second career. For nearly 20 years after retirement, he shelled pecans and enjoyed his connection with the community.
Nothing made Ronald happier than watching his grandsons grow up. They were his pride and joy. He temporarily set up a camper in their backyard while they were young and spent his spring and summers there watching them play baseball. He helped to build a baseball diamond on their property that was used by the county at times. As they got older, he enjoyed every opportunity he had just hanging out with them or fishing off the coast of NC. He especially enjoyed attending baseball games at Mount Olive and East Carolina Universities with relatives or friends. He also spent many enjoyable hours working in his yard where he loved planting flowers for all seasons of the year. The last five years of his life he was happy to own and live in the home that he helped his brother build when he was just a teenager.
Ronald turned his life over to Christ in the year 2000 and from that point forward dedicated all walks of his life to being a steadfast Christian. He loved his church family at Free Gospel and was committed in serving the ministry there by his devoted attendance and helping at all church events and activities. He was dedicated to his older brothers and sisters as they aged and needed more care.
He leaves behind to cherish his memories, his precious daughter, Carla Barrow Byrd (Craig), of Linden, NC; sons, Sammy and Eddie Barrow both of Harnett County, NC; grandsons, Dalton Smith and Dillon Smith (Taylor Gainey); their father Wesley Smith of Angier, NC; grandchildren, Ashley Gilchrist of Angier, Jesse Barrow of Fuquay-Varina, Jana Barrow Beasley of Coats, and Jonathan Barrow of Coats; a sister, Myrtle Heath of Snow Hill; as well as many nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved. He also leaves behind his loyal friend, Dennis Ray Chase, and many other close friends that were devoted to him and with whom he shared many ballgames, trips, and meals. The family extends a heartfelt thank you to all of you; and you know who you are.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased in death by brothers Hodges, Wiley, Desmond “Hambone”, and Rayford “Buck”; and sisters, Aylene Barrow, Bertha Mae Head, Joyce Taylor, Evangeline Naylor and Jean Newsome. He was also predeceased in death by his close friend and Army brother, John Ackiss.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM Saturday, January 13th, at Free Gospel PFWB Church with Pastor Mike Parks officiating. Interment will immediately follow at the Snow Hill Cemetery with Military Honors.
The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:30 – 1:45 PM at the church and other times at Mr. Barrow’s residence.
Flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be made to Free Gospel Church, 145 Free Gospel Road, Snow Hill, NC 28580 or the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675.
