BENTONVILLE — Cody Ryan Barlow

passed away Oct. 9, 2020, at age 38 in Oklahoma City. Cody Ryan Barlow was born Aug. 9, 1982, to the late Jack Barlow and Connie Barlow in Fayetteville, Ark.

Cody was a natural at any sport he participated in. He competed professionally in team roping and calf roping. Cowboying was his first love. He roped his first calf on his horse on Christmas Day 1987, at age 5. On Oct. 28, 1995, at age 13, he competed with 1,000 team ropers of all ages to qualify for a shootout spot in the United States Team Roping Championship (USTRC).

Cody and Rick Epperson won 4th place. And with Cody’s winnings, he gave 20% to the church. In 1998, he won the World Junior Team Roping Championship for the fastest time at age 16. He roped his steer dummy 100 times every evening and if he missed one time he would start over again. He was very determined and dedicated to be a world champion team roper.

He won a rodeo scholarship at Northeastern Oklahoma university after attending the National High School Finals. And the rest of his life was dedicated to being a true cowboy. He also went to school to be an auctioneer. Cody worked for Burbank Materials as a trackhoe operator in Burbank, Okla., owned by Ronnie Hindman.

He loved his job. He also worked for Thompson Construction in Yale, Okla. Cody was a positive person and his glass was always half full. Cody never met a stranger and he had the biggest heart.

Cody is survived by his mother, Connie Barlow; stepfather Terry Galyean of Bentonville, Ark.; brothers Scott Barlow of Ada, Okla., Jeff and Amanda Barlow of Stillwater, Okla., John Barlow of Maramec, Okla., Randy and Marilyn Spence of Lockport, N.Y., and Tim and Sharla Spence of Rose, Okla.; sister Susan Spence and Frank Perry of Austin, Texas; aunts Mary Rozell of Skiatook, Okla., Cindy Cooper of Bentonville, Ark., and Theresa Epperson of Lincoln, Ark.; uncle James Cooper of Bentonville, Ark.; nieces Kelsey Hancock and Bailey Spence; nephew Kyle Barlow; and several cousins and a multitude of friends.

He will be greatly missed and never forgotten. And will always be remembered for his infectious smile that lit up the room when he walked in. His family is overwhelmed by the lives Cody has touched.

Visitation will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, followed by memorial services at 2 p.m. at Decatur Sale Barn Church, 8950 S. Arkansas 59, Decatur, Ark. Pastor Rob Pierce will officiate. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory. Condolences may be expressed at www.funeralmation.com .