Ray Barrow

Norman “Ray” Barrow, age 87 of Homestead Florida passed away the evening of May 14th. Ray was an avid farmer in the Redlands, taught Agriculture and advised the Future Farmers of America at South Dade High School, owned and operated Three Suns Nursery. Ray was born in Laurel Hill, Florida in 1930, graduated from Escambia Farms School in Baker Florida in 1948. He served in the US Air Force during the Korean War. He graduated from University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1957. He moved to South Florida and taught Agriculture from 1958 until 1985. His received the Honorary Future Farmers of America State Farmer award. He is accredited for the establishment of the agricultural program in MacArthur South High School. He was an active member of the Avocado Committee. He was honored by the Dade County AGRI Council for his service and intellect in agriculture to the growers of Miami-Dade County. He continued to foster growth in the agricultural community well after retiring from teaching by mentoring former students and agriculture teachers. Ray was a devoted family man. He met and married Peggy Jane Brown in 1959. With his family, he started Three Suns Nursery in 1968 where he raised ornamental plants. He also raised avocados, limes, lychees, mangoes and other tropical fruit from 1959 throughout his life. In 1960, he started cultivating tropical fruit and became a pioneer in the lychee market and he sold Mangos and lychees from his driveway for many years. He also had a passion for fishing and flying that he shared with his family. He is preceded in death by his mother Janie Ruth Stabler Barrow, father James “Jim” Columbus Barrow, wife Peggy Brown Barrow, and brother Creston Barrow (Marie). Ray is survived by his loving companion Norah Handley, daughter Susan Kelly (Jerry), son Randal Barrow, daughter JoEllen Caines (Edward), son Jim Barrow (Judy-Lynn), grandsons Clayton Caines, Charlie Caines, Robert McCullohs (Ashley), granddaughters Deidra Rezzarday (Tony), Beth Peterson (Cedric), great-granddaughters Hannah, Lily, Madyson, Carter, nieces Patsy McDonald (Joe), Sharon Hillmeyer (Jerry), Linette Jerkins (Jack), nephew Doyle Barrow (Cheryl), and his dearest friend Buck Dorsey (Janice). Services will be at Branam Funeral Home at 809 N. Krome Avenue Homestead, FL 33030 on Wednesday 5/17/17 from 6:00-8:00 pm. On Saturday, May 20, there will be a visitation at Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home, 436 West James Lee Blvd., Crestview, FL 32536, from 10am to 11am followed by a graveside service and interment at Cotton Cemetery, Blackmon, FL.

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