IN MEMORY: Jerry Gordon Barnes, 82

Jerry Gordon Barnes completed his life journey on March 18, 2009 at 12:55 a.m. at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, painlessly and peacefully.
Jerry was born August 19, 1926 in Arkansas City, Kansas, the oldest of three boys, to a family of professional musicians. By the time he was four he was a violin protégé. He grew up in San Bernardino, CA, working his entire childhood to help support the family. As a senior in high school Jerry earned his CDL and drove the school bus.
On his 18th birthday he began his honorable service in the U.S. Navy, involved with aviation ordinance and pilot training, in many places all around the U. S. Jerry attended Chaffey College in Ontario, CA, where he met his first wife Marian.
On April 15, 1949, at 23, he landed in Fairbanks to explore the high paying jobs he’d heard about. He was planning to stay only long enough to get some money together. His first job that week was as a ground serviceman for Pan American World Airlines.
Jerry remained a significant contributor to the air transportation service in Alaska for the rest of his career. He earned his pilots license and owned his own plane.
He was a key figure in the financial aspects of Wien Airlines leadership, achieving Vice President Finance 1967 through retirement in 1984. During this time, moved to Anchorage, he set up secure retirement for employees, administered hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Boeing jets and expansion, and pioneered the use of computers in airline finance. Jerry’s involvement created countless positive lifelong relationships with local people throughout Alaska.
Jerry also left a considerable influence to Alaska Alpine Ski Racing history since the early 1950s. Not only was he recognized as champion racer, he played a big part in creating Skiland Ski Area north of Fairbanks. Skiland remains operational and boasts the farthest North chair lift. Jerry’s leadership in the early 1970s improved opportunities for alpine ski racers at Alyeska, establishing national coaching relationships, improving racing mountain infrastructure and national athlete evaluations, helping to pave the way for what would result in global Olympic Alaskans.
After his retirement his wife Marian passed away. Several years later he married Judy Weber of Fairbanks and moved back to a log house in Fairbanks where he was active in his family, boating and gardening.
His legacy is described best by the quotes from his friends:
“He is a loving and caring person.”
“He could multiply two four digit numbers in his mind as fast as they could be written down, brilliant!”
“He is our dear lifelong friend who made the world a better place.”
“We will miss him and toast to him.”
Jerry always had a great sense of humor and could be very funny, too.
He is survived by his six grandchildren, Crystal Snow now in the Puget Sound area, Travers in the Lake Eufaula, OK area, Nicholas, Natasha, Kyrstyn, Kaytlyn, daughter Nancy all in the Mat-SU Valley, son Kerry at Alyeska, wife Judy in Fairbanks, and brother Ben in San Bernardino, CA.
The cremated remains will be ceremoniously placed at the top of “Barnes’ Banner” at Skiland, Saturday, Aug. 15 in honor of his birthday.
Jerry is remembered fondly by the many people of Alaska as having really cared for them.
As he would say, “That’s more useful than a windshield wiper on a billy goat’s ear!”