Stanley Lewis Barlow was a hard-working, committed family man and dedicated much of his life to building homes and businesses across the Stanthorpe district.
He was a man of strength, determination, loyalty, generosity and a deep love for his family.
To know him was to be enamoured by his love for Beris, admire his passion for hard work, respect his no-nonsense attitude, appreciate his enthusiasm for a beer or rum and smile when he did.
He was born in Stanthorpe on 30 June 1934 to Alwyn (Sonny) and Doris Barlow. He was their second child after brother Leslie, followed by brother Keith and sister Gwen.
Stan attended Stanthorpe Rural School as it was called back then before taking part in carpentry workshops, a building apprenticeship with Bill Bott and then worked with Jack O’Brien.
It wasn’t long before Stan and his brother Les set up their own building partnership. Together they built around a hundred homes and businesses in Stanthorpe and their legacy lives on in the streets of this pretty little town.
It was an extremely hard slog as a builder back then – Stan and Les would dig all their own foundations with a shovel and pick. They would fell their own trees using a crosscut saw, load them onto an old dodge truck and transport them to the sawmill to be milled into timber.
When the concrete was laid they used a straight edge steel screed to level it manually. Then they used an electronic helicopter which they held over the concrete to smooth it. Stan and Les made all the frames and trusses for the homes. But it wasn’t just the physical work, together the brothers did the quoting and invoicing for every job and would ensure the plans were architecturally sound. This partnership was a truly incredible achievement for two young men, pioneers of their time.
One of the Barlow buildings that still stands tall in Stanthorpe today is the Granite Court Motel, now known as the Granite Belt Motel – but for five years it was a Barlow run business. Stan’s younger brother Keith and wife Margaret worked it during the week with Mum Doris who cooked meals for the room service guests. Stan and Les took turns manning it on weekends to give Keith and Marg a break.
And while Stan was a busy man running his building business and helping at the motel, his story is nothing without Valma Beris Hohenhaus, known as Beris.
Their true love was sealed with a church wedding on 18 November 1961. The couple moved into their own home, which Stan also built, after they married and lived there since.
Their love only magnified when they had kids of their own. Stan’s first born, a son, Brett followed by daughters Rhonda and Leesa.
Stan sure lived life in the fast line, packed with amazing adventures. He was into go carts, speed boats, motor bikes and classic cars. He would fly model aeroplanes, take part in hill climbing, shooting and golf.
His boat was the first on Storm King Dam, where he taught many young locals to ski. Now the boat ramp is named after him and Les – Barlows Boat Ramp.
Stan worked hard and played harder.
But first and foremost, he was a family man, always spending time with the three kids and eventually his grandkids too.
Rhonda and Graham, parents to Kirstie and Aaron.
Peter and Leesa who have two daughters, Ashleigh and Jacinta.
Brett met Debbie and her three girls Emma, Amy and Kaity.
But we know Stanley Lewis was no saint.
He was stubborn, determined, cranky and honest with no filter at all. But you always knew exactly where you stood with him.
He remained cheeky, an over exaggerator, smart, practical, generous, so very loving and tough as nails.
Stan and Beris celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary a few years ago with all the family in attendance.
Stan celebrated his 90th birthday on 30 June 2024 with his wife and family by his side.
He passed away peacefully a few months later at the Stanthorpe Hospital – a full and wonderful life very well lived.
Rest in peace Stanley Lewis.
30/06/1934 – 28/08/2024
