Jim Harlow

James Burgess Harlow, 93, passed away in his home August 18, 2024, in Austin, Texas. He was born to Leonard and Marguerite Harlow in Long Beach, New York and spent a happy childhood in Darien, Connecticut along with his sister Lenore and brother Bob.

After high school, his family moved to Barnhart, Missouri and Jim spent a summer in remote Alaska fighting wildfires, an experience he treasured his entire life. After attending two years of college at Southeast Missouri State, he left school for the military, proudly serving as a Naval aviator. He entered the University of Missouri in 1951. Jim earned his Civil Engineering degree at the University of Missouri where he met his wife, Martha E. Leslie. They were married in 1959.

Jim had a long career in the prestressed precast concrete industry in various managerial and sales roles. In 1982, he started his own business, East Texas Precast, in Hempstead, Texas. He owned and managed his business to great success until his retirement in 2007.

Jim led an active, adventure filled life with friends and family always along for the ride. He was an avid sailplane pilot, sailor, tennis player, fisherman and outdoorsman. Later in life, his passion was fly-fishing, traveling to Colorado, Montana and Alaska with his wife Martha and/or with friends in pursuit of trout on the fly.

Jim was completely devoted to Martha, and they loved to travel throughout the U.S. in their RV as well as internationally. Always ready with a story or funny anecdote, he loved to be with friends and family, and he will be greatly missed.

Jim is survived by his wife, Martha; children Keith, Kathleen and Ellen; and grandchildren Callie, Will, Ethan, Chloe and Elise. Services will be held at First Presbyterian of Austin on Friday, August 30th at 10:30 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Amer- ican Parkinson Disease Association or the Engineering General College fund at the University of Missouri.

Below some photos of Jim.

Jim played for a number of years with a tennis group who played Tuesdays and Thursdays at Austin High School courts. Jim was a left-hander and a good player. He was always a gentleman on the court and all enjoyed playing with him. It was a sad day when health issues caused him to stop playing.

L to R: Austin Gleeson, Jim Harlow, Roger Bengtson, Mark Sullivan, Charles Thrash, Vernon Wong, David Racino, Dick Rew, John Moore, Paul Landry, Mel Oakes. June 7, 2016, Austin High Tennis Courts

L to R: Mel Oakes, John Moore, David Racino, Jim Vick, Roger Bengtson, Jim Harlow, Charles Thrash, Adam Antoniewicz & Paul Landry, 2015

Jim Harlow, 1953, University of Missouri, Pi Kappa Alpha

Jim Harlow, 1953, University of Missouri, Class Photo

Jim Harlow, Southest Missouri State 1951 Physics Club. Jim, 2nd from left in first row, sitin on arm chair.

Jim Harlow, Southest Missouri State 1951Fraternity. Left end of back row.

Jim Harlow, Southest Missouri State 1951, Physics Major.

Martha and Jim's Engagement Annoucement. 1959