Dr. Brian Edward "Ed" Barlow
May 3, 1943 - Jul 1st, 2024- Birth Date: May 3, 1943
- Death Date: Jul 1, 2024
- Funeral Date: Jul 12, 2024, 2:00 pm
- Location: The Great Hall of the Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas.
- Print this Obituary
Biography: Dr. Brian Edward “Ed” Barlow, 81, of Little Rock, AR, passed away Monday, July 1, 2024, after a brief illness, surrounded by his family.
Eddie was born May 3, 1943, in Dermott, Arkansas, to Dr. Brian E. and Lilian (formerly Jancik) Barlow. He came from a long line of doctors, and after his father died of a heart attack in 1953, it was his mission to become a cardiologist.
He graduated with a BS degree from the University of Arkansas in three years to begin medical school a year early. Eddie graduated from medical school in 1968. Following this accomplishment, he served a one-year internship at Kings County Medical Center in Seattle, Washington.
Due to the war in Southeast Asia, Eddie entered the United States Navy, where he was a Lieutenant Commander and assigned to the USS Cascade as a Naval Medical Officer. It was in the Navy where he met his wife, Eva (formerly Stopnicka) while he was stationed in Naples, Italy. They married in 1974 and would have celebrated 50 years of marriage in September.
After serving for two years in the Navy, he returned to Little Rock to begin a residency in cardiology at UAMS. Upon completion of his residency training, he settled in Little Rock. He began his medical career in partnership with Dr. A. J. Thompson, and they ultimately formed Little Rock Cardiology Group. He and his partners were also instrumental in founding the Arkansas Heart Hospital to bring state-of-the-art cardiac services to the patients of Arkansas.
To the dismay of many, he retired in 2001, after having quintuple bypass surgery. Eddie only had two speeds: 150 mph or nothing! In fact, his nickname in medical school was “Fast Eddie”, due to the fact he completed tasks with great speed and agility. While many people recover from heart surgery and return to work, Dr. Barlow knew that he would not be able to provide the level of care he was accustomed to providing for his patients if he had to slow down in any capacity.
He was able to enjoy 23 years of retirement doing what he loved most: hunting and fishing, spending time with his family, and watching any sport that interested him, especially the Arkansas Razorbacks.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Brian and Lilian Barlow, and an infant son, Ryan.
Eddie is survived by his wife, Eva; three children: Sonia (Damon), Eric (Kate) and Alex (Kasey); two grandsons, David and Louis; his sister, Barbara Lasley; and his niece Leah Lasley Shell, and nephews Jimmy and Brian Lasley and their families.
A visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. Friday, July 12th, 2024, in the Great Hall of the Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive in Little Rock. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com
Deepest sympathies,
Beverly Cokley
Truly a great person in all respects. He always had my highest admiration.
Rest in peace and God bless.
John Holder
He was on call one night and it was Christmas. He said he was spending Christmas with his loved ones meaning the staff in CCU. I felt so lucky to have worked with him for over 15 years. He made me a better nurse and human being. We were truly blessed to have him at Saint Vincent’s. May your family be comforted by your great faith in God and how you lived your life. You are home now.