More detail on this person: Former Alaska
resident Jerry Thomas Dennis, 65, died March 9,
2008, in Ventura, Calif., of a heart attack.
A graveside service with military honors will be
at 1 p.m. Friday at Fort Richardson National
Cemetery. Attendees must meet at the gate at
12:40 p.m. Celebration of life, 2 p.m., American
Legion 28, 7001 Brayton Drive. Call the Medallion
Foundation, 743-8050, for more information.
Jerry was born April 30, 1942, in El Centro,
Calif., to Loren and Thelma Dennis. In 1960, Jerry
graduated from South High School and later that
year enlisted in the Air Force to pursue his dream
of flying jets. In 1961, Jerry was accepted into
the Air Force Academy, graduating in 1965. Due to
a serious knee injury, Jerry had to leave the Air
Force. However, that did not deter his passion for
aviation. In 1965, he enlisted in the Army to
become a helicopter pilot.
In May 1966, Jerry married Hannelore "Lory"
Padilla.
In September, he was sent to Vietnam for his first
tour. After he returned to the States in 1967, he
was selected for rotary wing flight school, from
which he graduated with honors and first in his
class in December 1967. The next year, Jerry
served his second tour in Vietnam, this time as a
helicopter pilot and aircraft commander. He was
later stationed at Fort Rucker, Ala., as an
aircraft accident investigator, which launched his
career in aviation safety. In 1974, as a major, he
left the U.S. Army, and from 1975 to 1985, he
remained in the Army Reserves 1898th Aviation
Company at Fort Richardson. Jerry proudly served
his country for more than 25 years.
In 1974, the National Transportation Safety Board
hired Jerry to investigate aviation accidents in
Alaska due to his knowledge and experience with
safety in aviation. In the 1990s, Jerry continued
his work in aviation for insurance companies in
New York and Washington, D.C. In 2001, Jerry
wrote the basic business plan for the Medallion
Foundation, launching a unique aviation safety
program in Alaska. His expertise and foresight
brought change to the culture of aviation and
helped save lives. This program has been viewed
nationally and internationally as one of the best
worldwide.
Jerry's adventures were just beginning on his
recent move to California to be a consultant to
the aviation industry.
His family wrote: "Jerry should be remembered for
serving his country and for his significant
contribution to aviation safety through awareness,
education, and training. We know he is up in the
heavens directing angels on how to fly safely."
Jerry is survived by his daughter, Nicola Barnes
of Reno, Nev.; grandson, Christopher Barnes of
Anchorage; two great-grandchildren, Bianca and
Rebel of Anchorage; brother, Byron of Bakersfield,
Calif.; and former wife, Hannelore "Lory" Dennis
of Anchorage.
Condolences may be sent to P.O. Box 51810,
Sparks, NV 89435. In lieu of flowers, memorials
may be sent to the Disabled American Veterans
Charitable Service Trust, www.dav.org/cst/; or to
the Jerry Dennis Aviation Safety Scholarship,
University of Alaska Anchorage Aviation Technology
Program, 2811 Merrill Field Drive, Room 131,
Anchorage 99501, attention: Leonard Kirk.
Published in the adn.com on 3/16/2008.
HAI Sadly Announces the Passing of Jerry Dennis
(UPDATED)
Helicopter Association International (HAI) sadly
announces the passing of Jerry Dennis, who died
March 9, 2008 in Ventura, California at age 65.
Dennis began his love for aviation when he
enlisted in the Air Force with a dream of flying
jets. A knee injury forced him to leave the Air
Force, but did not stop him from doing what he
wanted to do _ fly. In 1965, Dennis enlisted in
the Army to become a helicopter pilot. After
returning from Vietnam, he attended and graduated
first in his class from Rotary Wing Flight School.
Dennis returned to Vietnam _ this time as a
helicopter pilot and aircraft commander _ before
coming back to the U.S. to work as an aircraft
accident investigator in Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Dennis began working for the National
Transportation Safety Board in 1974 to investigate
aviation accidents in Alaska. He also continued
his work in aviation for insurance companies in
New York and Washington, DC. In 2001, Dennis
wrote the basic business plan for the Medallion
Foundation. He served as the Executive Director
for the Medallion Foundation, Inc. from its start
in 2001, until retiring in February 2008 to pursue
other interests in aviation. The Foundation is an
Alaskan non-profit safety organization funded by
grants from the FAA. The foundation works to
reduce aviation accidents, commercial aviation
insurance rates, and influence the aviation Safety
Culture throughout the state of Alaska. His
expertise and the work of the Foundation has been
valuable in promoting change to the culture of
aviation and has been viewed nationally and
internationally as one of the best programs
worldwide as it continues to save lives.
Dennis is survived by a daughter, a grandson (who
he was helping to get his ATP pilot license, and
currently flys for PenAir), two
great-grandchildren, and a brother. HAI sends its
condolences to his family, friends, and all who
knew him. He was an inspiration to the industry
and will be truly missed.
A memorial service will be held March 21, 2008 at
1:00 p.m. at the Fort Richardson National Cemetery
in Anchorage Borough, Alaska. Attendees must
meet at the gate at 12:40pm. Military Honors at
gravesite only. After the service, a celebration
of life will be at 2 p.m. at the American Legion
28 , 7001 Brayton Drive, Anchorage (frontage road
off New Seward Hwy from Dimond Blvd north
bound). Any questions please call the Medallion
Foundation at 743-8050
Condolences can be sent to the family at: Nicky
Barnes, c/o PO Box 51810; Sparks, Nevada 89435.
Email: jbnb@charter.net.
Posted on Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Ultralight plane crash kills Texas pilot in
southest Oregon
Posted by Richard Cockle, The Oregonian May 27,
2008 11:25AM
JORDAN VALLEY -- An ultralight aircraft was
banking steeply above a private airstrip near
Jordan Valley in southeastern Oregon on Sunday
when onlookers said it "fell out of the sky,"
killing a Texas pilot.
The Malheur County Sheriff's Office said John A.
Williamson, 58, of Arlington, Texas, was killed
instantly in the 10:50 a.m. crash. A sheriff's
department spokesman said Williamson was
"banking hard" above the airstrip about seven
miles south of Jordan Valley when the accident
occurred.
He was flying the enclosed cockpit aircraft during
an annualouting.
A Vietnam veteran, Williamson was an experienced
pilot and had flown more than 1,500 hours in that
aircraft, deputies said.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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