Tariq Rahman Barksdale
July 24, 1996 – July 10, 2026
Tariq Rahman Barksdale was born on July 24, 1996, to Shonda Taliaferro and Edgar Barksdale in Fremont, California. He was raised in Stockton, California and attended and graduated from Cesar Chavez High School. He passed away on July 10, 2026, at the age of 29, due to injuries sustained in a multi-vehicle accident just two weeks before
Although Tariq’s life was short, and he was still figuring things out as many of us do in our twenties, he made an impression on the people who knew him. He was a son, a father, a brother, an uncle, a grandson, a nephew, a cousin, and a friend. Each of those relationships was a part of the life he was still building. his 30th birthday.
Tariq had a slight lisp and a voice that was always pleasant to hear. He spoke in the language of his generation, so “Bruh” and “I’m not even gonna lie” regularly found their way into his conversations.
He was quick to laugh and just as quick to playfully roast someone. But even more memorable were his philosophical reflections on life. If you ever had one of those conversations with him, you probably walked away thinking either, “My brain really hurts right now,” or “He might be onto something.” Whatever kind of conversation you had with him, you were going to leave with either something to think about or to laugh about.
Tariq was still navigating adulthood, learning from life, making choices, and becoming the person he was meant to be. Like all of us, he was more than any single moment, decision, or circumstance. He was a whole person with hopes, struggles, humor, love, and possibilities that were still unfolding.
Among the most important parts of Tariq’s life were his two daughters, Elody and Xaleya Barksdale. Through them, a part of him continues. They will grow up knowing that their father was deeply loved and that their lives remain an important part of his story.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents Ora and Henry Hill, and his older brother Ayatollah Muhammad.
Tariq leaves behind his daughters, Elody and Xaleya Barksdale; his mother and stepfather, Shonda and Raphael Taliaferro; his father, Edgar Barksdale; his grandfather David Lee Furr, and his siblings, Yazmah, Nassima, Maryam, Haidera, Bashar, Dominique, Joy, Ishmael, Najla, Sayeed, Fatir, Mustafa, Zenobia, Khalil, Jameela, Samiyyah, and Quadisha. He also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, great-cousins, extended family members, and friends.
His family will miss his voice, his jokes and laughter, and above all, simply having him here. Our lives are forever changed without his physical presence, but we carry him with us in our memories and in his spirit which we feel around us.
Please leave your condolences below.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Barksdale family.
SERVICE
A memorial service will will be held at 1:00pm in the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.
Tariq’s memorial service will be livestreamed for those that can not join us in person. Please click HERE to join.