Edward Wayne "Ed" Barlow

1932 - 2025

Edward "Ed" Wayne Barlow, 92, passed away on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. He was born in Marion County, Kentucky, to Ben and Alberta Barlow on Sept. 2, 1932.

Ed graduated from Lebanon High School in 1951. After graduation and faced with a couple of job opportunities, he chose to follow in his parent's footsteps in the grocery business and went to work for Kroger where he proudly worked for 42 years. Ed started his career as a clerk in Lebanon and by 1955 he had been appointed to a management position and moved to Elizabethtown as a co-manager. In 1969, he was appointed manager and had the opportunity to open several new local Kroger locations; the last in its present location at Towne Drive, where he worked until his retirement in 1993.

His soft-spoken leadership served him well and he would lead by example. He took great pride in having a clean and well-stocked store for his customers and would jump in and bag groceries if needed.

More than serving as manager for Kroger, he served his community as well, often being recognized for his outstanding service. He served on the board of directors of the former Elizabethtown Jaycees, where he was honored as Outstanding Young Man in 1964, he was council president for Hardin County 4-H and served two terms, he was a member of the Chamber of Commerce for Elizabethtown–Hardin County, he was a Kentucky Colonel, he served on the board for Men for Christ, he was a member of the Elizabethtown Rotary Club for more than 40 years and received the Paul Harris Fellow Award of Excellency by Rotary International and he served on the board of directors for the Christian Church Homes of Kentucky.

He was a faithful member of First Christian Church for more than 60 years having served as a deacon, elder, chairman of the board and a trustee.

He was an avid golfer and, much to his children's dismay, he loved the UK Wildcats.

He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Ben and Victor "Vic" Barlow; and four sisters, Prentie Lamb, Evelaine Roller, Alaine Dobson and Carolyn Jacobs.

He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Duerella; a son, Steven Barlow; two daughters, Bobbie (Louis) Bauer and Sherry (David) Cofer; a sister-in-law, Sandy Barlow; eight grandchildren, Christina Wirth, Celeste Reynolds, Aaron and Stuart Bauer, Scott Barlow, Kaitlin and Jordan Cofer and Addison Futrell; and 12 great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be at noon Tuesday, May 20, at First Christian Church with Ministers Chris Kiger and Doug Mitchell officiating.

Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Brown Funeral Home in Elizabethtown and will resume at 10 a.m. Tuesday at First Christian Church until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to White Mills Christian Camp at P.O. Box 129, White Mills KY 42788, Clarity Crisis Center at Clarity Solutions, 116 E. Memorial Drive, Elizabethtown KY 42701, or First Christian Church at 1811 N. Miles St., Elizabethtown KY 42701.