Shawn was raised in the Central Valley by Glenda Catanzarite-Pometta and Dan Barlow. At 13, Shawn moved to Turlock. In 1988 he graduated from Turlock High School.

Shawn attended MJC and graduated from Stanislaus State with a Political Science degree. In 2002 he graduated from the University of Wyoming, College of Law. During his third year, Shawn successfully argued a published appellate case before the Wyoming Supreme Court and practiced in the Laramie City Attorney's Office.

Shawn returned to Turlock following graduation and, in 2003, obtained his dream job as a prosecutor in the Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office. Shawn strongly believed "evil prevails when good men do nothing" and relished his job as a Deputy DA. For the past three years, Shawn was the Major Narcotics Vendor Prosecutor prosecuting major narcotics sales and related crimes. He excelled as a trial attorney and was well respected by law enforcement and legal community.

Shawn most recently ran for Turlock City Council and was at his happiest. Shawn loved music, concerts, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, rebuilding his 1958 Chevy Truck, books and politics. He excelled in sports and was an avid Dodgers, Lakers, Rams and LA Kings fan.

Shawn is survived by his mother, Glenda Catanzarite-Pometta (David); father, Dan Barlow (Maria); step-father, Pat Catanzarite (Jill); step-brother, Joseph Tone (Mary); fiancée, Lindsey Robbins; and several family members. He is also survived by an incredible group of friends, each a brother to him. He was preceded in death by grandmother, Darylene Morris; grandfather, Donald Orr; grandfather, Al Snyder; grandfather, Robert Barlow; brother, Heath Barlow; and cousin, Lanna Watham.

Services will be held at 12 noon on Sept. 28 at Modesto Centre Plaza.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Shawn Barlow Memorial Fund at any US Bank.