Robert Barlow Lee, a respected veteran and dedicated family man, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2026, in Guilford County, North Carolina. Born on August 14, 1931, Barlow’s life was marked by unwavering commitment to his country, a distinguished career, and deep devotion to his family.

A funeral service with military rites will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church in Laurinburg officiated by Rev. Jeanne H. Baucom. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery. He will be buried with his parents, two sisters, and two brothers. The family will receive friends from 10:15 AM to 10:50 AM at the church.

Barlow grew up in downtown Laurinburg, in a large family, and he was a star player in football for his Laurinburg High School. From an early age, he developed a strong work ethic, learning to plow with a horse on his father’s farm when he was just nine years old. One of eight children, he was the sixth son born to Joe Lee and Mary S. Lee, who have since passed away. He loved his siblings especially Sarah and Charlie Lee and he took much nurturing advice about life from his brother Charlie. As a young boy he worked at the gas station on Church Street to earn spending money and he loved to visit the old Lee Mill Pond. He loved to work on the large two-acre Lee mini-farm and years later the family vegetable garden in Monroe starting back in 1967 on through the 1970s and early 80s. His wife, Lola then froze and stored the fruits of their labor (tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, green beans, lima beans, cantaloupe and sweet white corn). Barlow developed his love for farming and gardening from growing up near the farmlands and sandhills of Scotland County. He also loved visiting with his sisters-in-law, Elizabeth "Lib" Powell Lee and Effie Lee Williams. Barlow loved his eastern North Carolina style barbeque, Revels Barbeque of Laurinburg being his favorite, and Smithfield's a close second. He spent many summers with his family and his brother Charlie and his four daughters on eastern North Carolina lakes, especially White Lake and Bluett Falls Lake on Charlie’s pleasure boat. Charlie taught him how to slalom ski and even ski barefoot. He loved to tell stories about his great grandfather known as Papi Lee and how he was a farmer in Scotland County and owned large tracts of land.

In February 1951, at the onset of the Korean War, Barlow enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving honorably for four years. During his service, he was stationed in diverse locations including Texas, Illinois, Tennessee, Wyoming, South Carolina, and spent 19 months in occupied Germany. His exemplary service earned him three medals and four stripes. After his discharge in January 1955, Barlow remained committed to veteran affairs, making two trips to Washington, DC in 2008 and 2009 advocating on behalf of World War II veterans. He was a proud patriot and was very knowledgeable about military aircraft and ships and loved his country dearly.

Following his military service, Barlow pursued higher education at North Carolina State College, School of Engineering. His professional career spanned over four decades, beginning with the insurance industry, contributing his expertise to American Mutual Life Insurance in Charlotte. He then dedicated 35 years to heavy construction. Barlow was notably a safety engineer of the Dickerson Group of Monroe and maintained active membership in esteemed organizations such as the Associated General Contractors (AGC) in Charlotte and the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) in Chicago. His work required extensive travel throughout the Carolinas, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, and New York State. Barlow finished his years of employment with Sentry Insurance in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, State Utility Construction, and the Boggs Group of Monroe.

Barlow’s personal life was equally full and impactful. He was married twice. Barlow and his first wife raised three children together. He then married Marjie Green Dabbs, a nurse and his high school classmate, who sadly preceded him in death. Barlow and Marjie loved their dog Flappy. Barlow was a man of immense self-reliance and pride, designing and building his own home, including clearing the land with his own hands. His love for his family was profound; he put all three of his children through college without the need for borrowing funds. In 2012, even in retirement, he demonstrated his quick thinking and compassion by saving two lives with the Heimlich maneuver, an act witnessed by many who knew no one else present could help. Barlow retired at the age of 75, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, and love. He resided at Plantation Estates in Matthews where he enjoyed driving others around, fixing their vehicles for them and doing anything that they needed help with. He spent the last 12 years of his life at Heritage Greens in Greensboro, where they took wonderful care of him. During his final years at Heritage Greens, the Arboretum annex took loving and nurturing care of him, and his family will be forever grateful for each and every one of them.

He is survived by his three beloved children, Deborah L. Young of Jamestown, R. David Lee of Swansboro, and Mary L. Thomas of Oak Island. He also leaves five cherished grandchildren whom he loved being their grandfather, Scott Young of Washington, DC. Garrett Young of Jamestown, Meghan Smith of Charlotte, Brad Thomas of Oak Island, and Leah Pope of Monroe; and his friend, Tom Newbrey of Charlotte. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Mary Lee; his sister, Sarah; his brothers, Lloyd, Tommy, Charlie, Richard, and Billy Lee.

Robert Barlow Lee will be remembered as a steadfast individual whose contributions as a serviceman, professional, and family patriarch touched many lives. His memory will continue through the family he so deeply loved and the communities he served with honor and integrity.

We are deeply grateful to AuthoraCare Collective Hospice for the compassionate care they provided to our father during such a meaningful and difficult time. Their kindness, compassion, and dignity made an immeasurable difference.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

“I always did the best I could.”

Bumgarner Family Funeral Service and Crematorium is assisting the Lee family.