December 20, 1961 – April 22, 2025
David Charles “Dave” Barloon, 63, of Mason City, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Good Shepherd Healthcare Center.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St NE, Mason City, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the VA Clinic of Mason City, Iowa, or a tree may be planted in memory of David.
David was born on December 20, 1961, in Mason City, Iowa, to Charles Barloon and Marge Cory Wright. He graduated from Forest City High School in 1980. At the age of 16, he proudly joined the 1133rd Transportation Company, Iowa Army National Guard in Mason City, where he served his country with honor for 29 years.
Throughout his military career, David was a dedicated and active member of the 1133rd. His service included deployments to Korea, Desert Storm (1991), and Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003), where he proudly led the Third Platoon. He also served in Mississippi during the recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina. His service gave him the opportunity to travel the world and forge lifelong bonds with his fellow soldiers. David retired honorably in 2008 as an E6 Staff Sergeant, proud to have served and to call the 1133rd his second family. Some of his most meaningful memories were made during annual training (A.T.) with his unit, where he earned the nickname “Barloonski.”
Outside of the military, David built a 43-year career at Winnebago Industries, where he was a hardworking and loyal employee.
While deployed during Desert Storm in 1991, David and his future wife, Kathy, fell in love through letters. On Valentine’s Day of that year, David famously crossed the desert to make a special call and sent a dozen red roses delivered by a man in a tuxedo, telling Kathy for the first time that he loved her. They were married on October 19, 1991, and spent the next 33½ years building a beautiful life together, raising two sons.
David enjoyed life’s simple pleasures. He loved going for walks, watching movies, attending rock concerts, car shows, races, and gun shows. He had a fondness for military movies and rarely missed the news, often sharing coffee and conversation with his sister-in-law, Chris. In his younger years, he enjoyed dancing with Kathy and treasured trips to Arkansas to visit his mom and sister. One of his greatest comforts was relaxing in his recliner with his beloved dog, Jojo, at his side.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Kathy Barloon; sons: Jordan David Barloon and Garrett Joseph Barloon; his cherished dog, Jojo Willis; mother, Marge Cory Wright, brother, Jeff Barloon (Tina Berg) and their sons, Robert and Nathan Berg; sister, Brenda Smith (Alan Smith) and their children: Dalton Smith (Kayla Smith) and their son and daughter, Austin Smith (Sarah Smith) and their son, nephew, Brandon Barloon, and niece, Brittnae Barloon and her daughter; Kathy’s family: sisters, Christine Klemas-Luna, Elizabeth Funk (David Funk), and their children:Jacob Krueger (Lyndsay Krueger) and their two daughters and two sons, Rachel Krueger and her son, Gabrielle Hall (Jake Hall) and their four daughters and one son; nephew Aaron Krueger; Brother, Steven Klemas, and his daughter.
David was preceded in death by his father and stepmother, Charles and Hazel Barloon; his stepfather, Charlie Wright; his brother, Greg Barloon; grandparents: Basil and Lena Cory and Philip and Lucille Barloon; On Kathy’s side: her parents, Teddie and Patricia Klemas, Grandparents: Harley and Cora Klemas and Helena Wright; as well as a brother-in-law, Robert Luna.
The family would like to give a special thanks to MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center Emergency Room, Fourth Floor, Sixth Floor, and Critical Care Unit nurses and doctors, Good Shepherd Healthcare Center and Hospice, VA Clinic of Mason City, Iowa, Reverend Kent A. Mechler, Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel and for Dan Fehr and all of his assistance during this trying time.
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