Jack Barnard: ‘A razor-sharp mind’

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Jack Barnard passed in the peace and quiet of nature on April 29th, 2024 from a heart attack. He experienced no suffering as it was all very quick. He had several hours to make the transition. May we all be so fortunate!

Most of us never get a friend with Jack’s qualities and abilities. I was fortunate to have him in my life since the 1970s and always took him for granted, like he would be there. I recently lost one of four men in my world I could actually count on if needed. He cannot be replaced, simply missed for the rest of my days. I called him on his birthday, March 13^th 2024, the last time we spoke. I last saw him September 9^th, 2022. You never know when you will see loved ones the final time, so act accordingly.

The loyalest of friends, Jack could be counted on. If he said he would do something, you could put that in the bank. He was solid. He had a razor-sharp mind, something I appreciate in family, friend, and canine. He was an encyclopedia on California geography, the US Interstate system, US and CA train systems, and all things Humboldt. Mechanical things were child’s play for Jackie. He could build it or fix it. A real man. He could drive any big truck, tractor, or vehicle. He played it all down to make the rest of us feel better about ourselves. He was beautiful in mind and body. He wasn’t perfect, but close enough for me.

When he was young he was interested in trains, BMX bicycles, cool cars, pickups, and big trucks. He was an excellent BMX bicycle rider and was very fast on the track and trails in the hills. I once witnessed him ride a 20” BMX bicycle from Snake Road and Colton Blvd. all the way down to Colton and Mountain Blvd. – without touching his brakes once. I followed him on one of those rides and was unable to go that fast down that twisty, steep road at perhaps 45 mph with no brakes. That was fun to Jack.

As a kid, perhaps 13 years old, I saw firsthand his sense of a work ethic. He had a real job at Norge Cleaners and took it seriously. I did odd jobs. Jackie had a real job. He never missed a day and was always on time. I remember thinking that you could literally eat off the parking lot at the cleaners and if there was a cigarette butt or bottle cap anywhere to be found, he was on it before anyone else noticed. I still think about that today.

Jack was extremely skilled in construction and worked on numerous residential and commercial projects as a young man. In his 20s, he took a nice piece of land and slowly turned it into a much better place. He planted numerous trees. Friends would buy live redwoods and other appropriate species for Christmas and give them to Jack after the holidays. He planted them on his property, and they are still there today. He cared deeply for both his properties that were his home throughout his life.  He worked hard caring for his land. He had a land ethic, as Aldo Leopold described it long ago. Jack saw his relationship with his land as a work in progress, always willing to give and spend whatever was required. He had a little Tom Sawyer in him too and was able to get others excited about land projects, whether restoring a creek or fixing a culvert. He had a simple way of living, getting something meaningful done each day.

To this day when faced with a construction or renovation task on home or vehicle or garden, I have learned to ask myself, “How would Jack approach this?” The answer is always, stop and go and get the right materials and tools and do it the right way, the first time. That’s what Jack would do. Emulate Jack and do it the right way, raise your bar, and be there for your people, like Jack. I’m gonna really miss him.

With great love and respect, I appreciate our dear Jack who is the godparent of both my sons. Jack has shown each one of us amazing solid support, love, patience, and kindness. We are ever so grateful for the time we got to spend with him. If the boys had a mechanical question, he had a logical, and wise answer. If there was an opportunity to show us a cool nature spot, or his favorite train watching location, he would be motivated to take us. We feel much gratitude for all we shared in… scrumptious dinners, excellent pie, and laughs by cold water streams. He was the type of man that would always be there If you need him. Through the ups and downs of life, he was always solid and present.

Jack inspired my son’s interest in trains and trucks. Over the years, he supported their interest and expanded their mechanical knowledge. Jack would play with the boys on his hands and knees, letting them climb on his back, or he would just sit with them in nature, and just Be. He gave his attention and love to all that he knew-even the squirrels, chipmunks, turkeys, and rabbits benefited from his care. We miss Jack so much, but it’s in our hearts that he lives through the three of us. We will follow as many of his train tracks as we possibly can….We love you Jack!!!

Jack was so grounded! He was one with Mother Earth. Jack loved all animals! To him they were all God’s children. The ground squirrels were “his angels”! Every morning, no matter how early, or how much snow, ice, or wind, Jack was out feeding the birds, and animals before going to work.  Also, fresh water was added daily to a scrubbed out bird bath, and watering dishes!

He loved music! Heavy metal, rock, (The Scorpions ruled!), and devotional music. I played and sang devotional music. Jack would sit with me when I would practice, and sing like an angel. He felt that every song was a devotional song, as they all come from the heart.

Jack’s first vehicle was a 1976 Ford F250.  “Big Red” sits in our drive way today after years of continuous care. It was his work truck around the land. His Akita companion, Ranger, was always with him sitting shot gun where ever he had to go.

Favorite past times were anything at all to do with trains! His mom, dad, and grandad all worked for Southern Pacific Railroad. He entertained himself when a young boy with model railroading. Most of our vacations, which I loved as well, involved riding trains, hiking in the wilderness along train tracks particularly on Donner Pass, and the Feather River Canyon.

Jack was very quiet, and inside of himself, one got to know him through observing his skillful means, and integrity while spending one on one time with him. When engaged in conversation, he was always present to listen until he felt closure with whom he was speaking.

Jack was a strong and courageous man, a working man, yet in his heart was great tenderness which is not the virtue of the weak, but rather a sign of great strength of spirit, and a capacity for concern, for compassion, for genuine openness to others, for love.  Jack was able to allow his Divine Will to guide him, and for this reason he was all the more sensitive to the people entrusted to his safe keeping. Jack could look at things realistically, he was in touch with his surroundings, and he could make truly wise decisions. Jack and I shared a relationship of loving awareness for each other, and our individual needs. He was my rock of love and support. This one was gifted to be called his Earth Angel. I so deeply loved this man, and Jack loved all of you!

A person can hear, but a friend listens for the meaning. A person can look, but a friend sees the heart. A person can know, but a friend understands your dreams. Thank you, Jack, for listening, seeing, and understanding every person that your heart touched, and being their friend.