Father James Barlow, a priest of the archdiocese who most recently served as pastor of St. Luke's Catholic Church in San Antonio until his retirement last June, died at his residence in Castle Hills the morning of January 13, 2019. He was 74.

James Patrick Barlow was born on Nov. 23, 1944, in Brooklyn, New York. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Marion Hansen Barlow and his brother Timothy Barlow. He is survived by his brother, Robert T. Barlow (Patricia) and seven nieces and nephews.

Fr. Barlow earned a bachelor's degree in Sociology from St. Mary's University before pursuing theology studies at St. Mary's, Assumption Seminary, and Oblate School of Theology.

He was ordained to the priesthood on May 18, 1973 at St. Luke's Church. Prior to his priestly ordination, Barlow had served for a year as a deacon there.

Father Barlow was assigned as associate pastor of St. Patrick's Church in San Antonio from June 1973 to June 1975, and then as associate pastor at St. Dominic's Church in San Antonio from July 1975 to June 1980. He assumed the pastorate of St. Rose of Lima Church in Schulenburg from June 1980 to June 1983.

Father Barlow then began more than two decades of service as a chaplain in the United States Air Force in various assignments until his retirement from the military and subsequent return to the archdiocese. He was at Ramstein AFB, Germany in October of 1983 when the remains of the US Military (220 Marines, 18 sailors and 3 soldiers), killed at the Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon were processed, and he assisted in the blessing of the bodies, an overwhelming task. Additionally, scores more of the wounded were taken to the US Military Hospital at Ramstein, and they too, were in need of Chaplains. Years later, he would be summoned in 2001 to report to the temporary morgue that had been established at Dover AFB, to participate in ministering to the dead, and their survivors in the wake of the September 11 attack on the Pentagon (188 killed). He was greatly affected by these two atrocities, and to merely sum up his military service as "having done duty as a Chaplain," would be a great dishonor to his memory. As a Chaplain he stands as a TITAN in their ranks. He is well deserving of his Military Honors, as he served his country well.

In June 2007, Father Barlow was appointed as pastor of St. Luke Catholic Church for a six-year term. He oversaw an expansion and renovation of the church facility in 2009, and the dedication of a new gymnasium complex in 2011.

Father Barlow's pastorate was renewed for an additional six-year term in 2013. Soon thereafter, Father Barlow was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a disorder of the central nervous system which affects movement. Progression of the disease necessitated his retirement from the parish in June 2018.

He was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and member of the American Legion.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Visitation will begin on Thursday, January 17th at 5:00 P.M. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 P.M. at St. Luke's Catholic Church.

Visitation will resume on Friday, January 18th at 8:30 A.M. with the Funeral Mass to be offered at 10:00 A.M. at St. Luke's Catholic Church.

Interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery at Cordi-Marian with military honors.