Warren Coultas Barrow

1929 - 2013

Dr. Warren C. Barrow, 84, of Pittsfield, passed away Thursday, June 20, 2013, at the Illini Community Hospital Emergency Room in Pittsfield.
Warren Coultas Barrow was born March 11, 1929, in White Hall, to Adlai "Doc" and Marinda Barrow. As a young man he was an avid hunter and student athlete. He graduated from Roodhouse High School and attended Northwestern University in Evanston for three years before transferring to the University of Georgia in Athens where he graduated in 1953. Although he received a degree in Chemistry, Warren had more hours in history than in his major, presaging his lifelong love for history. He returned to the Midwest to attend the University of Illinois School of Medicine in Chicago and earned his doctorate of Medicine in 1957. While in medical school he married Elvira Pessina of Jacksonville on March 27, 1954. They had four children, Dan, Kris, Jim and Amy.
After completing his residency in Internal Medicine at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago, he joined the United States Army stationed in Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, where he served as a medical officer.
Fulfilling his lifelong dream to become a general practitioner in a rural area, he joined Dr. Thomas Bunting in his practice in Pittsfield Oct. 27, 1961. They practiced together until Dr. Bunting's retirement. Dr. Barrow continued to practice medicine in Pittsfield, most recently with Dr. Ron Johnson and Quincy Medical Group.
For 50 years Dr. Barrow provided superb and compassionate care to his community. His generation of physicians is a vanishing breed. He was not only a general practitioner, but the cardiologist, gynecologist, obstetrician, emergency room physician, urologist, gastroenterologist, pulmonologist and psychiatrist for his patients. Throughout most of his career, he was on call every other night to manage all levels of routine, urgent and emergency medical services, including house calls, delivering babies and covering the emergency room at Illini Community Hospital.
Dr. Barrow's Labor Day weekend dove hunt was one of his most cherished times of the year. In addition to the hunt, he loved telling his wonderful stories to the family and friends that participated. He enjoyed several generations of hunting dogs, who were loyal companions throughout his life. Fishing, reading, traveling extensively with his wife and children, along with reruns of old Western movies were some of his favorite pastimes. No one could tell a joke like Doc!
Due to failing vision from macular degeneration, Dr. Barrow retired from the practice of medicine Oct. 27, 2011, 50 years to the day that he began his medical career with Dr. Bunting. He died peacefully in the emergency room at Illini Community Hospital in Pittsfield June 20, 2013 attended by his wife, Vera.
Dr. Barrow was preceded in death by his younger brother, Jack Barrow; his niece, Kim Barrow Badali (surviving husband Bob); and his daughter, Kristine Barrow Tarpoff (surviving husband, Craig). He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Elvira; his sons, Dan (Mollie) and Jim (Jennifer); and his daughter, Amy (Mack). He leaves eight grandchildren, Elizabeth, Alex and Jill Barrow, Emily, Jack and Tom Barrow and Brock (Kathleen) and Emma Halbrook; three great-grandchildren, Lennon Barrow and Shay and Emilie Halbrook; one nephew, David Barrow; and one great niece, Toni Badali.
Dr. Barrow's family will observe his life, accomplishments and memories in a celebration of that life on Monday from 4-8 p.m. at Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Blessing Hospice of Pike County, Pittsfield Volunteer Fire Department or the organization of your choice. Condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com. The Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield has been entrusted with the service.