COURIER-JOURNAL OBITUARY 07/31/2011.
BARNETT, GERALD D. "JERRY," 67, of N. Myrtle Beach, SC, formerly of Louisville, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, July 27, 2011. He was born January 30, 1944 in Louisville to John S. Barnett and Cecilia Dorothy McBride Barnett. He was a 1961 graduate of Trinity High School, received his BS in Commerce in 1967 and his MBA in 1969, both from the University of Louisville. He was later an FBI agent for over 27 years, stationed as senior agent during the Olympic Bombing in 1996 in Atlanta, special agent in Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Louis and Puerto Rico, and also special agent stationed in Idaho during The Wounded Knee conflict. Jerry received many awards and honors for his FBI service to his country. He was a Kentucky Colonel, an Army reservist and a member of the Ocean Drive Shag Club and a member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in North Myrtle Beach. Jerry also received special recognition and honors for his commitment and service to the shag dance community in the greater Myrtle Beach area. This recognition included a proclamation of service from South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges. Two shag dancers illuminated on the water tower high above the ocean front shag clubs in North Myrtle Beach will eternally remind "locals" and visitors alike of Jerry's presence among them, for it was Jerry who envisioned and orchestrated this lasting contribution to his "fellow shaggers" and many friends. Jerry started each morning by taking his coffee to watch the sunrise in his favorite chair by the beach. He was loving soul, very charming, warm, intelligent, as well as philosophic, always participated in telling a great story, never met a stranger and was always looking after others. He loved his family, friends, dancing, motorcycles and his beach. He was preceded in death by his father, John S. Barnett. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Corinne Heaps Barnett; mother, Cecilia Dorothy Barnett; four brothers, Gary Barnett, John W. (Peggy), Dennis K. (Donna) and Merle S. Barnett (Kevin); sister, Dottie G. Barnett; nieces and nephews, Troy M. Barnett, Heather Dosa (Troy), Jeffery Barnett and Nicole Smithson; and three great-nieces and great-nephews. His funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Tuesday at Church of the Epiphany, 914 Old Harrods Creek Road, with burial to follow in Resthaven Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. Monday at Ratterman's, 3711 Lexington Road. A memorial service will be held in North Myrtle Beach at a future date to celebrate Jerry's life with his many friends there. Memorial gifts in his name may be made to Kentucky Humane Society.