Bio of Paul Barlow

Family: Married Mychele McFarland. Children: Paul David II age 24; Scott Douglas age 22; Jared King age 19; Cody Alan age 16; Bryan Taylor age 13. Paul David served a mission in Santa Maria Brazil, graduated from BYU a year ago, and was married in the San Diego Temple this past July. He has started his own window washing-metal refininishing business is Provo and is looking to expand to California next year. Scott Douglas served a mission in Argentina Buenos Aires North, and is at BYU this fall. He is studying to be a physician’s assistant/physical therapist. He is also engaged to be married this December 20th in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. After his freshman year at BYU, Jared King entered the MTC this past June, and is currently serving in the Argentina Resistencia Mission. Cody Alan is a Junior in High School and will be playing varsity basketball this year. Bryan Taylor is in eighth grade and is playing soccer and basketball. My wife is a saint for putting up with six boys in the house all these years with no girls. However, my niece Camber Agrelius (a senior in high school) is living with us this year. It's great to have an instant daughter!!! (if only temporarily). I am really looking forward to grand daughters (grand sons too).

Church: Long and varied, not necessarily distinguished. Served about three years (1983 - 1986) in a Spanish-speaking branch (various positions) in Santa Ana, California - which later became a ward (Santa Ana 5th), which later became a Spanish-speaking stake (Santa Ana South Stake). Had the pleasure of working with Sister Iris Alfaro (now Decker) from the mission during that time. Also had the privilege of serving with Elder L. Whitney Clayton, now the area president in southern part of South America (he was branch president and then the first Bishop). Afterwards, Scout Master, Blazer Leader, Elders Quorum President, First Counselor in Bishopric, High Council, Bishop, Seminary Supervisor, Seminary Teacher, High Council again. Current duties include teaching a weekly stake missionary preparation class (my current favorite), public affairs and Interfaith relations.

Education: B.S. in Financial and Estate Planning from BYU - 1980. Work: After graduating from BYU in 1980, went to work for a firm in the bay area writing financial plans. Gerry Sanders from the mission (and originally from my home stake) later came to work there for a time also. After a year, I moved back to Southern California and went into business with my father and brother. I am a CFP (sometimes known as a Confused Financial Planner) and try to bring my clients financial peace of mind. I am self-employed and have run my own business since 1987. I am also a Registered Investment Advisor, Registered Securities Principal, licensed in life and health insurance and a bunch of other important sounding stuff. It doesn't mean I know what I am doing, but it sure looks good on a business card.

Hobbies: With five boys, my hobbies and interests have been my family. This has consisted of watching and/or coaching multiple sports events: soccer, basketball, baseball, roller hockey, track, volleyball, football, etc. Now that I only have two of my own left at home, I might take up golf one of these years.

Community: We (especially my wife) have been active with our schools from PTA to School Site Council to Boosters Club to High School sports. My Interfaith assignment has given me a wonderful opportunity to get to know other religions and their local leaders. Their support in obtaining approval for the Newport Beach Temple was most helpful.

Comps: Bailey, Gamez, Bonham, Connell, Hatch, Erklins, Clawson, Machuca, Jandres, Dowse, Colindres, Stewart, Sneed, Barkdull. I think that is all of them (and in order). What a trip down memory lane! I haven't really seen or communicated with any of them since the mission, but did have an intersting experience last year. To make a long story short, my son Scott and Mark Bailey's son - Beau Bailey (Mark and I were LTM companions) were both serving in the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission (but neither they nor we were aware of any prior connection). They decided they wanted to room together at BYU after their missions. When Mark and I talked on the telephone to work out the details, we put two and two together and had a nice telephone surprise reunion.

Areas Served: David, Panama City, Comayaguela, Tegucigalpa, Managua, Leon, San Jose, Masaya.

Dichos: Con toda la pata, Si Dios quiere, querer es poder, macanudo, que tal animal? - perfecto insecto - bastante elefante, hola hola coca cola - que te pasa calabasa. Lots of great stories I heard, but who knows if they are true or not!

Memories: I will always remember the Area Conference when President Spencer W. Kimball came to San Jose. We had a special priesthood meeting in the Los Yoses chapel near the mission home. I was assigned to play the piano for that meeting. Hermano Valladares from Tegucigalpa was assigned to lead the music. He was always an energetic chorister. However, after four rousing verses of Que Firmes Cimientos, he wound up to start verse five. Much to his chagrin, I stopped playing because the hymnal at that time only had four verses.

In my experience, it was the only time President Ventura, a businessman from San Pedro Sula and counselor in the mission presidency, looked nervous while giving a talk. He usually would speak without notes, but as I recall he read this one. It was interesting to see him heave a sigh of relief when he finished as he was on the program before the Prophet. In addition, he was supposed to translate for President Kimball when he spoke. However, when President Kimball got up to speak, he grabbed President Najera instead of President Ventura. (It is interesting to note that later that year President Najera was called as the first Stake President in the first stake created in Costa Rica by Howard W. Hunter. That meeting was another spiritual feast). I distinctly remember during President Kimball's remarks, how he stopped midway and paused – receiving the Lord's inspiration - and then delivering the word of the Lord to those present. It was an electrifying experience. Since the piano faced the front of the stand to the left side, I had a front row to the left vantage point of the Prophet and the proceedings. I will always remember literally sitting at the feet of the Prophet of God.