Joel Frank Barrow

The legend of Joel Barrow ended not with a bang but … with a nap in his recliner on Thursday February 29th, 2024. This came as a surprise to his family and probably to Joel himself since he had previously survived two motorcycle accidents involving tractor-trailers and a third being t-boned by a pickup truck.

A Visitation will be held Friday, March 8, 2024, from 5-7 pm, at Fair Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 11 am, Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Dan View Cemetery in Eden, NC. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Genesis Ministries of Rockingham County Inc. or the Rockingham County Animal Shelter.

Joel Frank Barrow was born on April 4, 1954, to the late Virginia Hale Hailey and John Henry Barrow. Joel spent his youth with his pony, Trigger, and dog, Toot seeking adventure on the Dan River, roaming around the streets of Draper, and spending days at the Draper YMCA. Joel never met a stranger. He loved to hold conversations and had a way of making anyone he met feel like an old friend. He spent much of his youth with little supervision due to his mother working multiple jobs and his father’s incarceration. Joel found mischief and appointed himself as the unofficial arbiter of justice. You may have heard of Joel running a biker gang out of Draper. If not, just ask one of the old-timers from that side of town. 

This is too brief of a space for all of Joel’s tales. Many are a matter of public record. His friend Darrell Gregory has committed to page the tales from the Mountain, an old nip joint, where Joel would tend the bar and box anyone willing to test their luck. As Joel got older and started a family, he began his career as a sheet metal mechanic traveling up and down the East Coast doing construction work. Joel was known by many names: J.B., Indian, the Draper pugilist, but of them all, his favorite was Dad. He was most proud of being the father of the “World Famous” Bravado Brothers. Joel was a member of the Morehead High School Class of 1972 and an honorary graduate of Andre Chase University.

Left to cherish his memory are his children Commissioner Houston Barrow and wife, Kim of Eden and Clint Barrow of Orlando, FL by way of Draper, NC; brother Brock Barrow of Eden, NC; sister Deborah Sue Jackson (Edwin) of Maggie Valley, NC.

In addition to his parents, Joel was preceded in death by the love of his life and mother of his children, Connie Irving; sister Joan Francis Barrow;  brother and best friend John Thomas Barrow and too many friends to count. 

Joel was a kind man. He always went out of his way to make people feel special, whether you were a lifelong friend or a complete stranger. He loved his family and friends and he never hesitated to stand up for those who might not be able to stand up for themselves. He will be missed.

Online condolences to www.fairfuneralhome.com