Amidst the warmth and sunshine was a crowd of sunglasses and somber faces during the memorial of Jared Barrows on Tuesday, May 8. The service was held on the Alumni Green for a group of approximately 300 students, faculty and family members.
Barrows was a devoted student, pursuing a B.A. in graphic design and a member of the PSU baseball team. Several of Barrows’ close friends shared memories and gave those in attendance a closer look at Barrows’ life. All of Barrows’ friends’ words followed a common theme: He was a person with a great attitude, contagious laughter and incredible devotion to his friends and family.
Moments of humor punctuated the otherwise solemn memorial event. Vice President Hage talked about Barrows’ love for home cooked meals, great dance moves and “terrific sense of humor.” Two of Barrows’ roommates shared their stories of living with Barrows’ and many of their remarks roused laughter from the crowd.
PSU professor Cynthia Vascak described how Barrows had the “sensibility and sensitivity of an artist,” followed by Hage who remarked that Barrows had “a truly wonderful life.”
Those in attendance took part in a silent procession across campus, “A quiet opportunity to reflect,” explained Hage. Several of Barrows’ friends carried a wreath and Student Body President Trevor Chandler carried the eternal torch. Many students wore specially created t-shirts featuring Barrows’ nickname “Shabaz” on the back. As the procession crossed campus, classes were being let out and students were sitting on the green enjoying the beautiful day. Everyone stopped to watch the procession and share, even a small way, in the atmosphere of remembrance.
The final speaker was one of Barrows’ brothers, Joe who shared the podium with Barrows’ twin, Jeffery. Joe read the eulogy that he wrote for Barrows’ funeral, held at the McDonald funeral home near Barrows’ home town in MA where 1,800 people came to remember him. “Have you ever met an earth bound angel? Jared is no longer bound,” he remarked.
The emotional eulogy shared Joe’s childhood memories of his brother and reemphasized the deep impact Barrows had on all those around him and the depth of his character. Like the speakers before him said, Joe talked about Barrows’ intense devotion to the people in his life and how his impact will have an eternal place in the hearts of those who knew him.
“Every male was a brother, every female was a sister,” said Joe. “So in turn, we are all family.”