Nathan David Jon Barrows' Obituary
Nathan David Jon Barrows, 49, of Chicago, IL and formerly of Camanche, IA, passed away Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at his home in Chicago. Services for Nate will be held at 11:00AM, Saturday, March 29, 2025 at the Camanche Chapel Snell-Zornig. Visitation will be held from 10:00AM until the service hour at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at snellzornig.com.
Nate was born January 12, 1976 in Clinton, Iowa, the son of Barbara Barrows and Phil Harris. Nate grew up in Camanche, alongside lifelong friends and cousins. Although Nate grew up an only child, as an adult he found out that he shared a brother through his mom, and two sisters through his dad. It was important to Nate to nurture these relationships, and in turn he became a fantastic "Hunkle" (half uncle) to the kids and a very beloved brother to Travis, Jenn, and Monica. Nate graduated from Camanche High School, where he played football, and later earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from Bradley University. While at Bradley "Nate Dogg" was born, as that's how his friends convinced him to introduce himself to women. Nate forged meaningful bonds at Bradley, as member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and has always remained grateful for those friendships. Nate married Elle Ryan in 2010 in Chicago, earning him the coveted title, "Uncle Deuce" which he was very proud of. Nate worked in automotive digital advertising. He was good at his job, and clients said that working with Nate felt more like working with a friend, as they truly enjoyed connecting with him.
To say Nate was an avid Bears, Cubs and Hawkeye fan, is an understatement. He loved his sports teams. Nate was lucky enough to attend Game 4 the year the Cubs won the world series. He even traveled to London to see the Bears play. Nate was proud to have had his 15 seconds of fame in full fan gear on the evening news one day outside of soldier field. Nate truly loved Chicago. He loved living in the city and all of the hustle and bustle of activity. He loved spending time with his friends, family, brother, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews and anyone who loved life as much as he did. He was interested in urban gardening and grew tomatoes and blueberries in buckets on his roof top.
Survivors include Nate's former wife Elle Ryan of Chicago, IL; his siblings: Jennifer Robb (and daughters) of Iowa City, IA; Monica (Brian) Lindmark (and sons) of Mesa, AZ; Travis (Shelly) Spidle (and family) of Des Moines, IA; and several cousins, including Deb, Joel, Jeff, Mark, Julie, Karen and Eric as well as extended family in Arkansas, who will carry his memory with love and fondness. Nate's passing is also mourned by his lifelong friends, including Jamie Liddle and Rogene Pejanovic, and his Chicago and Bradley University family of friends who will miss him dearly. Nate was preceeded in death by his beloved mother, Barbara Barrows and Grandmother Norma; his uncle David (Carol) Barrows, Gregory Barrows; his aunt Gloria Mangler, and his father Phil Harris.
Following the Memorial Service, friends and family will gather at the Camanche Bowling Alley. Memorials may be made to the family.
What’s your fondest memory of Nathan?
What’s a lesson you learned from Nathan?
Share a story where Nathan's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Nathan you’ll never forget.
How did Nathan make you smile?