Nathan L. Barlow

Nathan L. Barlow age 57 of Rison, died at his home, Thursday, October 25, 2007, following a courageous, three year battle with Pancreatic Cancer. He was born November 21, 1949 in Hastings, Michigan, the son of the late Louis Otis Barlow of Hastings, Michigan and Gusta Nell Banks Barlow of Jasper, Alabama. Nathan grew up in Jasper and completed his schooling at Walker County High School and received his A.S at Walker College, Jasper, Alabama. He received his B.S. at Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Alabama and was listed among the Whos Who in Alabama. Nathan also had a Bachelor of Science in Education, a Library Science Degree and a Business/ Economics Degree. Nathan was a nationally published poet and writer, having over 40 published poems and articles. He did post graduate work in English, Business Education, Secondary Education, and a Masters Program in Elementary Education at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Nathan also did post graduate work in Library Science at Southern Arkansas University. He was an English teacher, Adult Education Teacher, was Library Director for the Arkansas Department of Correction School District and was a librarian at Rison Elementary School before his retirement. Nathan served in the Marines. He retired from the Arkansas National Guard, having been activated during Desert Storm. Nathan served on the Cleveland County Library Board and was instrumental in acquiring funding for the library building. In the early 1970s, Nathan came to Star City, Arkansas, as quality Control Manager for Levi Strauss. He soon met and married his wife, Vicki Langford. Nathan was a member of the American Legion and of Hebron United Methodist Church. He enjoyed working on scale model cars, genealogy, travel, working with youth groups, drum and bugle corps, civil war history and gardening.

Nathan is survived by his wife, Vicki Langford Barlow; son, Seth Eli Barlow of Rison; step mother, Catherine Barlow of Hastings, Michigan; mother-in-law, Billie Langford of Kingsland; brothers, Malcolm Barlow and wife Deborah of Douglasville, Georgia, Raymond Barlow and wife Marquita of Hastings, Michigan; step brother, James Russell and wife Marilyn of Ada, Michigan; step sister, Gloria Hummel and husband Marvin of Grand Ledge, Michigan, many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, October 28, 2007 at Hebron United Methodist Church in the Hebron Community near Kingsland with Reverend William Paul Woolley, Reverend Maurice Caldwell and Reverend Dusty Rhodes officiating. Burial will follow in the Hebron Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday, October 27, 2007 from 6:00 to 8:00p.m. at Buie Funeral Home in Rison. Memorials may be made to: Gideon International, Hebron United Methodist Church, Arkansas Cancer Society. Arrangements are under the direction of Buie Funeral Home of Rison (870) 325-6216.