By Fred L. Jones, Jr.
Eagle Staff Writer
Hundreds of Tulsans attended the homegoing services for Joshua Barre on Tuesday, June 20, 2017, at First United Methodist Church in Tulsa. Joshua’s death marks a very negative image of Tulsa north’s opinion of police\civilian interactions during attempted arrests. Barre, who suffered from mental illness, and was simply to be picked up on a peace warrant (issued to pick up someone who has suffered a mental setback from lack of medicine), was shot almost five blocks away from his residence. This has not set well with the Tulsa north community after the not guilty verdict issued last month in the Officer Shelby/Crutcher murder trial.
Many Tulsa citizens of color are outraged by the lack of community policing, feeling that many of the police officers working in Tulsa north have no clue about community relations or, relatively, do not care about the general welfare of the community. Tulsa north’s elected officials and community activists are working to bring about change to this negative operative. They are educating and recruiting police officers who want to work in the Tulsa north community to make it a better place and to stop the senseless killing of African American men and women in Tulsa.
This incident almost caused a riot in the Tulsa north community as tensions flared. Many citizens are fed up with what many feel are racist tactics when it comes to policing African American people, and believe Joshua’s death is a sign for Tulsa north to stand up and demand change.
Joshua was a survivor from birth. He was due to enter the world May 21, 1988 but came two months and eight days early on March 13, 1988. Joshua was born in Tulsa, Okla., to Anthony Wayne Barre, Sr. and Etta James Lowe-Barre.
At an early age, Joshua showed signs of being gifted. He began drawing at age three. His education began in Atlanta, Ga. at Old National Christian Academy. After moving back to Tulsa at the age of five, Joshua became a member of The Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith. His walk with God began early in his prime years. He studied religion throughout his life, seeking biblical knowledge and understanding, he truly loved the Lord and it showed in his spiritual walk with God.
Joshua attended Roosevelt Elementary School, where he succeeded academically with high honors and learned to play saxophone. He continued his musicianship at Carver Middle School, where he performed in the band and also played football 6th-8th grades. Joshua always was an admirer of music. He could read music and also play many instrument by ear.
Joshua was a great artist, drawing and sketching all of his life. He attended Edison Preparatory High School and graduated with the Class of 2006. He wrote a story that was published while in high school at Edison, and during his time there much of his art work was displayed in the school. Continuing his education at Tulsa Community College and The College of Southern Nevada in Henderson, Nevada where he studied English literature. He had a great admiration for children and aspired to become an author and illustrator of spiritual children’s books. His finished illustrations exhibited creativity and brilliance.
While he loved learning, he was fascinated with the solar system and planet earth. His studies took him around the world. He read the Holy Bible, the Holy Quran, the Torah, and studied multiple languages.
Joshua cherished his time with loved ones and he always displayed affection. He always greeted his family and before departing from his family he would embrace you with big, strong hugs. His loving hugs will truly be missed. He loved all of God’s creations and literally would not harm a fly. He promoted unity, peace, and most of all Love. Joshua believed God’s word and accepted Jesus Christ as his savior until his final breath. Joshua’s mental health began to decline after the death of his father in 2010.
Joshua was preceded in death by his father Anthony W. Barre, Sr., grandfather James K. Lowe, uncles Mark Barre and Charles Gibson, and his devoted cousin who he loved like a sister Charisma Sanders.
Those left to cherish his memories: his loving mother Etta J. Lowe-Barre, grandparents William Rean Lowe, Ola Mae Barre, Brenda Barre, and Leon Barre all of Tulsa, Okla., siblings Anthony W. Barre, Jr (April), Tyesha Boyd (Paul) of Tulsa, Okla., Stasha Blount (Floyd) of Houston, Tex., Nyesha Barre, Jordan Barre, and Jha’briel Barre all of Tulsa, Okla. His cousins whom are more like brothers Thaddius Verner and Aaron Wallace.
