Edward Wayne Barlow

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, Kentucky 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 over 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; 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, 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 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at First Christian Church with Pastor’s Chris Kiger and Doug Mitchell officiating.

Visitation will be Monday, from 4 – 8 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home and will resume at First Christian Church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. 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 Dr., Elizabethtown, KY 42701, or First Christian Church at 1811 N. Miles Street, Elizabethtown, KY 42701.