James Allen Barlow, Jr., known as Al to family and friends, passed away in the early morning of September 20, 2025, after a prolonged off-and-on battle with various medical issues. He left this world in the company of family, surrounded by love up until the end, and leaving a huge circle of family and friends. To begin with something simple and true: Al had a gift. It's the kind of gift that can't be faked or borrowed. You see it in the way his voice carried, in how he shared a song, the twinkle in his eye, or the way he touched so many people's hearts. Many of us have our own Al Barlow stories – how a lyric touched a deep place, how he sat you down to talk and always made you feel special, how he felt there was always good to any circumstance, and how (as he often quoted Emily Dickinson), if you "Keep your face to the sunshine, you cannot see the shadows. It's what the sunflowers do."

Al Barlow was a singer, songwriter, and entertainer with a long history in the Texas music community; even if he never chose to pursue it as a full-time career, he was still nicknamed "The Grandfather of Americana Music" in print. Much of his music was enthusiastically comical, sometimes more subtle in its humor, often full of childhood reminiscences and thoughts on his Christian faith, love, resilience, history and culture. Among other honors and projects, he won categories in the Austin Songwriters Awards, had his own column in Lone Star Music Magazine, starred in the Humble Time syndicated radio show, was featured often at the annual Terlingua Music Bash, songwriter events at Cheatham Street Warehouse, Gruene Hall, the Redbird Listening Room, and even sang at Willie Nelson's 4th of July party. Texas Music Magazine dubbed him "The Happiest Man in Texas" in honor of his uniquely friendly and good-humored approach to writing and performing. His heart was always in every note.

Beyond music, Al was a mentor, confidant, and friend to many. He was known to take the shirt off his back to give to those in need. He offered to others, generously. He knew heartbreak and hope, the pain and the joy of life - and threaded those into his work.  His "You can do it" attitude wasn't empty cheerleading – it came from a place of experience, of having known heartbreak, loss, triumph, and still coming back strong and happy to encourage and support the people he believed in.

As much as his music reflected his life, it didn't define it. Al Barlow also found great joy in his family, spending most of his time with his wife of fifty years, Neda, and raising their two daughters, Courtney and Christi. Years of working for Southwestern Bell/AT&T gave him the means to support his family. His easy way of making friends led to no shortage of road trips, adventures, and fun-filled gatherings.  People who loved his songs and stories were just as likely to hear them around a campfire or in a friend's garage party as they were at any official music venue.

Born in Pasadena, TX on August 15, 1954, Al was preceded in death by his parents Verline Wright Barlow and James Allen Barlow, his sister Rhonda Allen, niece Cheryl Reynolds, and mother-in-law Murlene Davis. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Neda Barlow; his daughter Courtney Burkhardt and partner Trisha Knudson, both of New Braunfels; his daughter Christina Barlow of New Braunfels; grandsons, Ty Allen Burkhardt, Thomas James Jefferson Ashley, and Samuel Alan Houston Ashley; sister Rachel Sammons; nieces and nephews Jessica Melott, Patty Jo Sheets, Barlow Maxey, Cody Sammons, Ryan Sammons, Brett Reynolds, Kelly Huffhines and their spouses and children; and a too-long-to-list community of cousins and many other beloved kin and lifelong friends. Even for those who knew him only in passing, his songs, jokes, and stories; the indelible impression of a kind and funny man with a distinct Texas drawl; his signature suspenders and a big, warm smile for all who crossed his path were notorious across the Lone Star State. There's a good reason you'll still see "I Love Al Barlow" bumper stickers all over the Texas Hill Country and beyond for many years to come.

Al has taught us many things, but especially this: life may be difficult and fragile – but it is worth living, singing, and loving one another with every breath. Let us carry his spirit forward in love, tenderness, and joy. Let us be generous with love and bold in kindness, as he was with us.

Services will be held at Doeppenschmidt Funeral Home in New Braunfels, Texas at 2:00 PM on Friday, October 3. Rick Bartlett will be officiating, with a eulogy from his cousin Bobby Warr. A reception at Landa Park will follow the ceremony. Honorary pallbearers are Ty Burkhardt, Barlow Maxey, Kurt Ashley, Paul McLaughlin, Tom Allen, Chris Burns, Jeff Hardwick, Gareth Angleton, Scott Woods, and Wesley Warr.

A reception will follow the services at Landa Park in New Braunfels at Pavillion's 4, 5, and 6.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in Al's honor to https://gofund.me/81de64c07