Mr. Thomas "Andrew" Barlow

Thomas Andrew Barlow, age 35, who traveled the country and the world as an accomplished musician, performer, and percussion instructor, finished his earthly tour on Monday, March 8, 2021. 

Those left to cherish Andrew’s memory include his loving wife, Melissa Babalonis; their son, Thomas Aiden; parents, Allan and Joyce Barlow (Wilcox); grandfather, Carl Eller Wilcox; aunt and husband Brenda and Beau Lyday; uncle and wife David and Melissa Wilcox; aunt and husband Janet and Don Carver; uncle Billy Wilcox; mother-in-law, Susan Babalonis; sister-in-law and husband Michelle and Joshua Maksymik; and many other family members and friends. 

Andrew was a constant source of light and joy to everyone he encountered. He touched countless lives with his beaming smile, booming laugh, and kind heart. Those who knew and loved Andrew will always remember his endless energy and boundless enthusiasm for life. He poured his entire self into everything that he did: as a son, husband, father, teacher, musician, grandson, and friend. 

Professionally, Andrew was nearing completion of his degree of Doctoral Arts in Musical Performance at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. 

Andrew fulfilled his dreams as a performing member of many organizations that were dear to his heart, including: Magic of Orlando; Carolina Crown; The Cadets; Music City Mystique; and Blast!. 

Through his teaching, Andrew impacted the lives of thousands of colleagues and students across the nation. He shaped young lives as an educator and role model with several organizations, including: The Mandarins; Spirit of Atlanta; The Colts; The Academy; Reading Buccaneers; Connecticut Hurricanes; United Percussion; and The Cadets. His scholastic teaching experience included numerous high schools and universities across the nation, most notably Morton Ranch High School (TX) and North Penn High School (PA). 

Andrew enjoyed and embraced the opportunity to teach and learn with individuals from diverse backgrounds; he was passionately committed to understanding values and cultures of all kinds, and to advancing the need for access, diversity, equity, and inclusion in all forms of music and performing arts. 

Due to the COVID-19 virus, local friends and family may pay their respects at the George Brothers Funeral Home from 3:00-5:00 pm on Friday, March 19, without the family being present. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 20 at the Blue Ridge Memorial Park in Lenoir, NC.  

For those who live at greater distances, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later time and location, to be determined. It is respectfully requested that Andrew’s loved ones do not place themselves at unnecessary risk due to excessive travel, and that they follow all health and safety protocols to protect themselves and others. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, and Music City Mystique.

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