Joel "James" Shears Barbour

James was born August 13, 1973 to Joel Shears Barbour and Janice Marie Frost Barbour in Norman, Oklahoma. He became an older brother in January of 1977 and forever after had his best friend in his brother John.

James was very creative and artistic and enjoyed writing stories, poetry and music. James was a member of the Norman Music Institute “family” as he was an avid music player mastering both the bass guitar and keyboard. He used his music and writing abilities and wrote and recorded music producing CDs and streaming music.

James loved dogs both his own and others and wherever he would go he would make new friends with the dogs and could often be seen at outdoor concerts like Summer Breeze going around and asking to pet the dogs who had come.

James passed from this Earth after a brief illness on November 25, 2024 in Norman, Oklahoma.

James was predeceased by his grandparents Robert E and Dorthy Dee Barbour of Norman, Oklahoma and John Joseph and Grace Winifred Frost of San Francisco, California, his dog Ralph and his mother Janice Marie Frost Barbour and followed shortly in death by his aunt and godmother Patricia Mary Grace Frost of Norman, Oklahoma.

James is survived by his father Joel Barbour of Norman, Oklahoma, brother John Barbour (& wife Margaret Landis Barbour) of Norman, Oklahoma, aunts Margaret Barbour of Norman, Oklahoma and Dee Ann Heaton (& husband Joe Heaton & sons Andrew Heaton & Adam Heaton) of Edmond, Oklahoma, cousin Beth Barbour of Norman, Oklahoma and cousin Fred Hart of San Francisco, California.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the James Barbour Memorial Scholarship Fund at Norman Music Institute 2901 Broce St. Norman, OK 73072.

A combined live-streamed service with his Aunt Patricia Frost will be held 1PM, Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at Primrose Funeral Service in Norman, OK. James will be laid to rest in Norman IOOF Cemetery, 1913 N Porter Ave, Norman, OK 73071.