Jerry Janes 1935-2017

[cjpilot]

JERRY CARTER JANES April 1, 1935 – August 11, 2017. We are saddened to announce that Jerry passed away peacefully at Surrey Memorial Hospital. Jerry will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 58 years Diana, daughters Dawn (Barry), Tracey (Doug); grandsons Carter (Kirsten), Curtis, and Jackson; schnauzers Fritz and Suzy; brother Mickey (Arlys) and sisters Bitsy (Henry) and Kathy (John). Jerry was predeceased by father Dewey Carter, mother Lorraine, and brother Larry (Pat). Proudly hailing from Mooringsport, Louisiana, Jerry made his way to Canada as a professional football player beginning as an End at Louisiana State University. After being drafted to the 4th Armored Division, United States Army, at Fort Hood, Texas, where he played for the Army All-Stars, he was drafted in the 21st round of the 1957 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. He chose instead to come to Canada playing three seasons with the BC Lions before being traded to the Ottawa Roughriders. Refusing to go to Ottawa, Jerry was traded between Montreal, Calgary, and Hamilton before being brought back to the Lions in 1962 and capping his career with the Lions in their first Grey Cup game in 1963. Jerry and his family spent many enjoyable days traveling the BC coast in their boat, the “Honeysuckle.” Jerry was an active pilot and over the years owned an extensive collection of vintage aircraft. He took great joy in sharing his aircraft with the aviation community and never passed on the opportunity to take someone along on an adventure with him. Whether flying his B-25 Mitchell bomber to Tahiti or racing his Hawker Sea Fury at the Reno Air Races Jerry always made it a priority to share the experience with friends and family. He made numerous contributions as a founding member of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario and was a proud member of both the Western Warbirds and Cascade Warbirds flying communities. His legacy lives on in the countless people he introduced to aviation and to vintage aircraft and the many people he inspired to become pilots. In lieu of flowers, Jerry’s family asks that contributions be made in his name to the Delta Heritage Airpark – the place he called home for his entire flying career. Donations can be sent c/o Tom Boulanger, Treasurer, Delta Heritage Airpark Operating Committee, 4103 104 St. Delta, BC, V4K 3N3. No funeral by request.

[Cat Driver]

He was a superb human being and I am happy to have known him.

I will never forget the flight he took me on in his A26.

. ..

[Old Dog Flying]

Jerry was always wiling to share his flying fun with anyone including me and my kids. I flew with him many times in the Albatross, C-45, AN-2 and always got lots of stick time.

It was great knowing you Jerry...May the skies always be blue and the wind at your back..but where is the $20.00 that you owe me?

Barney..his auto-pilot

[ZBBYLW]

Jerry was so keen to share his aircraft and flying knowledge/stories with me as a youngster. My step dad at the time was good friends with Jerry and we always would drive to Boundary Bay to go have coffee with his group. Jerry would always take time to talk to me and see how I was doing and what's new.

I remember going up in the AN2 and learning how to fly that beast!

A big guy with an even bigger heart. Even though I live in Ontario now, I will donate to Delta Airpark in his memory.

[badmash]

God bless him.