Jerry Leonard Barnosky of Independence, Missouri, a transplanted West Virginia Mountaineer, returned to God July 16, 2020. Jerry was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia, and attended Notre Dame High School there. He also attended Fairmont State University in Fairmont, West Virginia.
Jerry was fascinated with trucks. He loved playing with toy trucks as a child and driving big trucks as an adult. Jerry spent several years in the trucking industry in West Virginia and eventually formed his own company. Later, he drove over-the-road flatbed trucks throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Later, he worked as a groundskeeper and Mr. Fix-It at a golf course in the Kansas City area.
Football played a big part in Jerry’s life. He was a four-year letterman in high school, and was chosen for the West Virginia all-state team his senior year. A coach’s dream, Jerry played offense, defense, and special teams. He also played college football at Fairmont State University. As a fan, he enjoyed both college and professional football. He looked forward to weekends to see his beloved Notre Dame Irish, West Virginia Mountaineers, Kansas City Chiefs, and, of course, Pittsburgh Steelers, as a loyal West Virginian should. Although football was his favorite sport, Jerry also played baseball for several years. Upon marriage to a Kansas City girl bleeding Royal blue, Jerry soon re-developed a deep enjoyment of baseball and became Forever Royal.
Jerry’s interests were many and varied. Time spent with animals and in nature brought Jerry much joy. He found few things more relaxing than fishing for trout, visiting around a mountain campfire, and petting a dog. Several times in his life, he provided a home for stray and abused cats and dogs. As Jerry declined in health, his time spent with his precious Labs brought him great comfort and peace. Jerry was extremely proud to be an American, and loved American History, particularly stories of the Civil War and WWII.
In his own unique way, Jerry was an artist. Using old lumber, recycled candle wax, and leather scraps, Jerry was able to bring to life items destined for the trash heap, creating new and practical pieces. Besides creating items, Jerry could fix anything, causing his teacher wife over the years to haul home from school numerous staplers, tape dispensers, clocks, chairs, and podiums for a bit of “Jerry magic.”
Jerry was filled with compassion and understanding for others, and people and God were the anchors of his life, as evidenced by his generosity towards his family, friends, and even complete strangers. No matter the difficulties he endured, he could always find someone who had it a bit worse and needed his help, seeking to make life a little easier for someone else each day. Using humor and sarcasm, Jerry could lighten even the darkest moments and evoke a smile or even laughter. Simply put, Jerry was hilarious, and his one-liners were priceless!
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Augustine Barnosky, his brother, Michael Barnosky, and his in-laws, John and Mildred Carroll. Jerry is survived by his devoted wife, Joan Carroll-Barnosky, of Independence, Missouri, whom he married at Christ the King Catholic Church in Pueblo, Colorado, on June 18, 1999. He is also survived by three brothers, Bill (Cathy) Barnosky, Jeff (Becky) Barnosky, and Robert (Elizabeth) Barnosky, all of Mt. Clare, WV; two sisters-in-law, Debbie Barnosky, Mt. Clare, WV, and Barbara (Bill) Hart, Independence, Missouri, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2020, at his parish, St. Mark's Catholic Church, Independence, MO, with visitation from 10:00–11:00 A.M., followed by 11:00 A.M. Funeral Mass. Private burial. Later in July, a second celebration of Jerry’s life will be led by the priests of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Stonewood, WV. Memorial contributions may be made to Wayside Waifs, a no-kill animal shelter.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18