Jerrold Vernon Barnes, 82

Jerrold Vernon Barnes, 82, a lifetime Whitefish resident, passed away on Nov. 18, 2012.

He was born in Whitefish on March 5, 1930, to Lee and Hazel Barnes.

Starting as a young man through his entire working life, he was up at or before sunrise, and most days he worked until sunset.

During World War II he took a farm deferment to help keep the family dairy going. He spent his entire life on the family farm west of Whitefish. Besides the dairy, he ran a herd of cattle and when the boys were old enough to be in 4-H, he raised pigs with them for college money. He always had a garden. He spent his entire working life in the dairy business working in the Whitefish Creamery, then having delivery routes for Glacier Gold and Equity Supply.

He graduated from Whitefish High School in 1948. He was guard for the 1947 Division Champion football team. After graduation he became a faithful Bulldog fan. A friend said he probably saw more sporting events for Whitefish than any other fan. At one out of town basketball game he was the only Whitefish fan in the bleachers. He has received the Bulldog Recognition plaque. He followed his son’s sports events and then his granddaughter’s volleyball games. Even with no family playing he was a regular in the bleachers.

He played baseball on the Whitefish traveling team for many years. His favorite sport was bowling and he received many trophies. He won the televised K.C.F.W. TV Bowling Tournament in 1975. His name was placed in the Whitefish Bowling Hall of Fame in 2000. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman. His family was never without deer and elk meat in the freezer. As a child he would take his fishing pole and ride his horse to Walker Creek. He spent many evenings in his boat on Beaver Lake.

He was the “last man standing” of his coffee group, “The Worn Out Wolves.” He was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Whitefish. Upon retirement he finally had time to join the Masonic Lodge and Order of the Eastern Star. He was Worthy Patron for Vista Chapter seven times, amazing all with his memorized, letter-perfect lectures. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marlene; their sons and wives, Frank and Naomi of Whitefish, Forrest and Phary of Albany, Ore., and Warren and Cari of Midland, Texas; and six grandchildren, Lianna, Jay, Breanna, Evan, Brittany and Bethany. His family includes four sisters and his brother, Frances Hatler and companion John Anudrus, Mary Lee McCutcheon and husband Bob, Carol Larson and husband Jerry, Sharon Stone, and Lyle Barnes and wife June, also sister-in-law Jean Duncan and husband Ken; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Because four of the grandchildren are now attending college, the memorial service will not be held until July 6, 2013. His memorial choices are the Whitefish Community Library, which provided him hours of reading the large print books, or the North Valley Food Bank.

You are invited to go to www.austinfh.com to offer condolences, share memories and view Jerrold’s tribute wall.