Living in a small community you get to know the names of your neighbours, the business owners, the folks at the churches or gathering spots, and even the names of the kids and maybe a pet dog or two as well.Knowing who makes up your community is what makes it special. Everyone is different, but personally knowing many of these folks can sure make you feel like you are part of something bigger, something that makes a difference in the lifestyle that we enjoy in rural B.C.
The Barriere area is no different. We are a mixing pot of personalities and lifestyles, we know many of our residents by their first name, and we can recognize them in a crowd.
One of those folks was Jerry Wenlock. Jerry loved where he lived, and he showed that love in kindness of spirit and a willing attitude to help when needed.
Jerry attended schools in Barriere, Kamloops, and Chase. He also lived in Fort St. John and for many years resided at Chu Chua. You may have seen him thumbing a ride from Barriere back to Chu Chua, especially on Thursday nights after he had attended Fire Practice at the Barriere Fire Hall.
Jerry was a dedicated volunteer fireman. Whether it was fighting fires, helping out at the firehouse, or jumping into the mascot costume for parade days, Jerry’s passion was in working with the fire department. Many Fall Fair parade watchers can remember Jerry’s happy grin as he waved from a fire truck in the annual Fall Fair parade, or when we attended the annual Open House at the Fire Hall, Jerry would always be there to show us around.
When the McLure Wildfire hit the area in 2003 our fire departments were tasked with impossible hours to fight the flames and keep them away from the community. There were nowhere near enough firefighters, even when other fire departments rallied and sent fire trucks and firefighters to help.
During this time Jerry stepped up and kept the Barriere firehall running while the fire-fighters were out dousing the flames. He took on the job of cleaning the hall, keeping the showers ready to go, having food and water accessible at any time no matter when the crews came in, and most importantly he did it all with a smile to help his fellow firefighters and his community. The Fire Chief said Jerry made life bearable for all the firefighters staying at the hall during that time.
Over the years the received a number of appreciation awards for his work at the fire departments, and in 2014 Jerry was nominated for the Citizen of the Year award in Barriere.
Jerry’s love for music was amazing. Whenever you would call him, he would pick up the phone and then turn down the music before your eardrums burst – that’s how loud he liked to rock!
Perhaps you remember Jerry as “the famous” Barriere Jerr, a frequent contributor to the Leo Baggio show on 98.3 CIFM in the late 1990’s and beyond. He would call Leo up and then they would talk about music, or whatever Jerry had on his mind, or Leo wanted to discuss.
Jerry’s calls were always full of life, enthusiasm and laughter, and many waited daily for that call to come over their radio. Personally, I feel Jerry is most famous for his Barriere Jerr radio sign off, “Rock On!”
Little did Leo or Jerry realize how far that radio personality would reach, or how the name Barriere Jerr and his famous “Rock on!” would stay with people for many years after they had heard the show. So much so, that I am often asked by new folks visiting the community (one just last week) if I know Barriere Jerr?
I have always been pleased to be able to say, “Yes”.
Jerry was always willing to give his unique outlook on a variety of issues and even more willing to lend a helping hand wherever needed.
Jerry was an integral part of our community. Aside from his innate love for Rock and Roll, he also loved to help out, welcome folks to a community event, and especially to fight fires. Many of us always looked for Jerry’s smiling face while riding on firetrucks in Fall Fair parades.
He had a strong spirit and a soft heart. He really was part of our community.
“Rock On!” Barriere Jerr – you will be missed.
Jerome “Barriere Jerr” Edwin Wenlock passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 14, 2019, at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital in Clearwater, B.C.