BARBER, JOHN EDWARD, 38, of Orlando, FL, died Monday, Oct. 17, 2011, after a ten-month battle with cancer. He was born in Winter Garden, FL, to Nancy and the late Robert Barber on Dec. 3, 1972. John graduated from West Orange High School in 1991 after spending a year in Germany on a Congress-Bundestag Scholarship through AFS. He received a BA in Political Science and Women's Studies from the University of South Florida in 1995. John was a hair stylist at Vamp Hair Salon, a political/social radio commentator on XL106.7, and an entertainer wherever he went. He was also an enthusiastic fundraiser for political figures and local charities and an advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness. He loved and touched the Orlando community with his generosity and commitment to charity. In 2008, he was voted "Favorite Local Hair Stylist" in the Watermark Wave Awards. He is survived by his mother, Nancy Barber, of Winter Garden; his grandmother, Nancy Arnold, of Ft. Lauderdale; his sister, Nancy Barber, of Winter Garden, his sister and brother-in-law, Robin and Ron Branch; and his niece and nephews, Ellie, Steve, and Bobby Branch, all of Windermere; his aunt and uncle, Fran and Dan Arnold, Jr., of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and his aunt, Carol Booth, of Tavares, FL. A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Friday, Oct. 21 at the Episcopal Church of the Messiah, 241 N. Main St., Winter Garden, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to any of three non-profits: The Barber Fund (to benefit other cancer patients), 940 E. Michigan St., Orlando, FL 32806, Hope and Help Center of Central Florida, 1935 Woodcrest Drive, Winter Park, FL 32792, or Hospice of the Comforter, 480 W. Central Parkway, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714.

“Tweeka Weed,” as he was known, was a driving force in the drag community, as well as an Orlando Fringe Festival artist, hairstylist and arts advocate. He was a dedicated fundraiser for HIV/AIDS support programs.