Barry “The Heist Man” Frazier, was born on February 7, 1956 in Washington, DC to the late Thelma Onley and Elwood Frazier. He passed unexpectedly but surrounded by his children at Washington Hospital Center on Friday, May 21, 2021. Barry was raised from an early age by his (late) mother, Mary Parham. He grew up in Deanwood and Kenilworth where he was well known, respected, loved and was most at home. Barry was educated in the DC Public School System and graduated from HD Woodson Senior High School. He earned his name on the court as a DC phenomenon and was offered his share of scholarships to attend many schools throughout the country. After attending college in Georgia for a brief period of time, he returned to DC after being homesick. When he returned home, he enrolled and took courses at the University of the District of Columbia where he played basketball with the UDC Gorgons. At UDC he was known for his famous jump shot and in his own words, “They [called] me the Heist Man…because [he] could really heist it.” Players did not want to see Frazier on the court. He could, “heist it, hoist it, jack it up, stick it, give you a facial and toss some Js,” according to the Washington Post. He was a legend on and off the court. He was also much respected by his Giant Food coworkers where he spent many of his working years and where he retired. In the school system, Barry gave back to his community as a high school counselor at Spingarn High School where his impact on students is still being felt until this day. Anyone who knew him, would know how much he loved people and his community. He left his mark at the Boys and Girls Club and in his high school. He was known for being a referee for many of the Kenilworth games where his style was like no other. He was no stranger to being active in his community by showing up and sharing his love for basketball. He met his life -long partner and sweetheart, Patsy Bates, at Roper Junior High School and was a devoted husband and father for more than 40 years. At home, his family knew him as a strong, consistent father figure. He provided for his wife and children with a passion that surpassed the expectations that surrounded him. His strong voice made you take notice. His confidence was admirable. His love and acceptance for others, no matter who they were, set the bar high for others to follow. He not only loved deeply but he was also loved deeply in return. Barry was known for speaking the truth and not biting his tongue. He is remembered for such sayings as, “I got curls for the girls and waves for the babes.” Or, “I’ll knock a bone outta your head or Man, please!” And if asked, he’d commonly say, “Never heard of it.” You weren’t shocked when he said, “Look at that Mofo - he crushed. He threw bookin.“ He was affectionately told by his wife on the regular, “Boy, shut up.” We all know he loved his Busch Beer and his “Whiteboys.” Don’t judge. He loved sitting on his front porch and enjoying his day with people he considered family. He liked watching his sports, visiting with his wife as often as he could, and his regular trips to Target, Wal -Mart, and Tony’s. He was a fairly simple man with a huge heart and an amazing impact on others. He often said, God chose him to help others. He lived his life to the fullest. He leaves to carry on his legacy of love his six children: Tytishia Davis (Damon), Harold Claude Blair, III, Deki Blair (Shawn), Barry Frazier, Jr., Shikira Frazier, and JarTavis Frazier; fourteen (14) grandchildren: Jayla, Marnai, Na’im, Caleb, Vache’, Jocelyn, Avril, Somaya, Semajai, Je’nyous, Shira, Dakiyah, Amena, and Ja’Xani. He leaves to mourn four brothers, Tony (Linda), Stanley (Stephanie), Weldon (Linda), and Cornealius (Cynthia), three sisters; Marsha, Gloria, and Janice (Tyrone). A brother -from -another mother and best -friend, Gary Brown, and a sister -from -another mister, Yodie Baker. He will be missed by all of his extended Bates family brothers and sisters, a host of in -laws, nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and many other relatives and friends. He loved all of his “adopted” Kenilworth sons and family. He is preceded in death by siblings, Tawanna, Elwood, Loiscene, Derrick, Marlon Frazier, Robert, Kenneth and Barbara Jean Parham.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Barry Frazier, please visit our floral store.