Richard "Sonny" W. Harlow Jr.

Richard “Sonny” W. Harlow Jr., 88, of West Lafayette, died on Friday, November 15, 2024, at Cumberland Pointe Health Campus. Sonny was born in Tipton County, IN on September 23, 1936, the son of the late Richard W. Sr. and Jean R. Harlow. He was a 1954 graduate of Lafayette Jeff High School.

He continued his education at Purdue University where he became a member of the Varsity Glee Club. Sonny met Janet Norton while she attended Purdue University and they were married on December 29, 1956 at Rush Creek Friends Church in Parke County, IN. Sonny worked at Fairfield Manufacturing Company in Lafayette for 38 years where he was Plant Superintendent for the later part of his career. Sonny was proud to serve as director of Tipmont REMC for several years. 

A lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Purdue Boilermakers, Sonny was passionate about sports. He was known as a kind, caring , and loving individual. He will be missed for his fun loving side, big heart and never knowing a stranger. He was a devoted grandfather and great grandfather (Gramps).

Sonny is preceded in death by his parents as well as his brother David Harlow.

He is survived by his wife Janet “Jan” Harlow of Lafayette, IN sons Richard “Rick” Harlow III of Bandera, TX Michael (Lisa) Harlow of West Lafayette, IN Nathan Harlow of Dallas, TX and daughter Noel (Eric) Knapp of Noblesville, IN; sister Nancy (Dirk) Bartlow of Battleground, IN; 6 grandchildren & 5 great-grandchildren. 

Friends may call at the Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home, 1104 Columbia St., Lafayette, IN from 3 until 6 PM Sunday, November 24. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home at 10:00 AM, Monday November 25 with Pastor Bruce Mowery officiating. The interment will be held at Sugar Grove Cemetery, New Richmond, IN immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Purdue Cancer Research Foundation. Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home of Lafayette is caring for the Harlow family. Memories and condolences may be left at hahngroeberfuneralhome.com