I can recall one time coming back from San Diego, after spending the weekend over the border partying, and Louie had driven us home in the pouring rain. We arrived around 4:00am, and I had slept most of the way, and only woke up because I noticed the car was not moving. We were in the Kmart parking lot on Whittier, and I saw Louie walking around the car, so I asked, "What are you doing!?" He smiled at me and replied, "putting Armor-All on the tires." He had dried all the rain off of the car and was ready to hit the boulevard! There wasn't a soul on the street that late, but he said "you never know if somebody on the way to work might recognize you, so your car needs to be in top shape." Sure enough we did get recognized by someone, and that someone happened to be a sheriff who pulled us over on Arizona and Whittier. He turned out to be an old friend of Louie's from high school who promptly let us go, and believe it or not, we got in one more cruise before finally going home to rest.
Barr's was a spirit that was larger than life, one that transcended into every activity or relationship he was involved in. At every car show, he would be in conversation with Julio and Fernando Ruelas from the Dukes, Jessie, Spanks, or Beto from the Imperials, as well as good friend Sorel from the Bold Ones. Around the community he was well recognized for his help with the local churches, Boys Clubs and parks where he volunteered, and acted as coach for the local boys club football teams. Not too long ago while in a sports bar with a few old members taking in a game, a guy came up to us and said "Man Lifestyle Car Club wow! Where is that big guy that was with you guys, Louie was his name, is he still in?" I let him know that Louie had unfortunately passed. The guy went on to mention that he played in the club-sponsored youth football leagues with the local ELA sheriffs, and that Louie had participated in buying the kids uniforms and jerseys, as well as the trophies . "If not for that guy, who knows where I would be today," he said, adding that "back then it was my local street gang or jail, but I believe that my jersey and trophy kept me out of trouble." The more the man spoke, the more his voice began to tremble. "I didn't have a father, so he was the closest thing I ever had, because he was there at every game and supported us," reminisced the man before sorrowfully exchanging his goodbyes with us.
As amazing of a story as that is, it's common among many people because Louie's reach was just that wide, he truly had his arms around all of us. Into each life, a little rain must fall but Barr became an umbrella to us all, turning our stormy lives into a sunshine-filled bliss. Even though he has been gone for a while, Lifestyle Car Club lives on through the memory of the patron saint that continues to bless and watch over them. In the event that another member takes that final ride up to the sky, the remaining members always say, "well he's in good hands now, Louie will take care of him." Barr's generosity and ability to care for those around him earned him the respect of a whole community and generation. From club leaders to local politicians, kids and even gangsters, Big St. Lou will never be forgotten by all the people he touched. Those of us who were lucky enough to have known him are maybe a little more sincere in everything we do. His induction to the Lowrider Hall of Fame will forever remind us of this giant of a man who rode low and made the world a better place.
By Art Avalos
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