‘He’s not done here’: Clovis rallies around critically injured tattoo artist

CLOVIS, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Friends, family, and even those who met Joshua Ray Farmer in passing are stepping up to help after he was critically injured in what his family says could be the hardest battle of his life.

Joshua Farmer is the owner of High Sierra Tattoo in Clovis. He was involved in a serious crash on Saturday, March 22, that left him hospitalized in critical condition.

His sister, Rashel Garcia, says she remembers getting a call from an artist at her brother’s shop and knowing immediately that something was wrong.

“I answered it and I couldn’t formulate sentences for a good half hour,” Garcia said. “I was out of there, booking my flight to Fresno.”

Garcia traveled from Oregon to be at her brother’s side as he lay in the hospital following the grueling crash. Garcia says the family has seen their fair share of tragedy, but she believes her brother’s story is not meant to end just yet.

“I have no doubt in my brother, he was the strongest person I know,” Garcia said. “He’s not done here. So I have no doubt that he’s going to pull through and he’s going to show everybody.”

Garcia says her brother’s life is filled with example after example of his generosity and willingness to help others. She says she’s grateful to everyone who has shown their support for her brother and given back to him in his time of need.

“He has such a community, I really feel it,” Garcia said. “It’s a blanket of prayers, and we’re all wrapping him up in it. I think that’s what’s going to help him realize that he is not done here.”

Farmer’s employees, Amber and Peaches, say the shop hasn’t been the same without Farmer’s support and care.

“He’s a huge family, man,” Amber said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever worked alongside another person in a position where they were my manager or my boss, where they have cared that deeply.”

Peaches says with Farmer currently out of commission and indisposed, she feels it’s important to act the same say he did when others needed his help.

“Josh was always the first one to come out for everyone else,” Peaches said. “He always says that he has to send out the bat signal. So we just hope we can do that for him as well.”

Farmer’s friends and family have organized multiple fundraisers to benefit Farmer directly – and his family, who have come from out of state to be with him.

On Saturday, March 27, High Sierra Tattoo will host a flash tattoo benefit from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the shop located at 601 West Shaw Avenue. Local tattoo artists Jacob Spivey and Woody are set to collaborate for the event.

The Central Valley Blood Center will host a blood drive on Saturday, April 12, at the Jenny Eller Donor Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Those unable to make it to either event are encouraged to donate online to the High Sierra Tattoo shop, Farmer’s family, or Farmer directly using the links attached.

Garcia says she greatly appreciates any help anyone can give.

“This is going to be the biggest financial burden he’ll ever see,” Garcia said. “He’s going to need all the help he can get.”