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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