Jay Barnwell, Director of Stewardship for Our Lady of the Pines Parish, dies at age 74

COLORADO SPRINGS. Jay Barnwell, who served as Director of Stewardship for Our Lady of the Pines Parish in the Black Forest section of Colorado Springs, died Dec. 21, 2022. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Jan. 13 at Our Lady of the Pines.

Barnwell was born July 13, 1948 in Denver, one of 11 children born to Joan and Marion Barnwell. He graduated from Machebeuf High School in 1966 and attended the University of Colorado while pursuing a career as an airline pilot. He worked as an instructor at Arapahoe Airport and as a traffic reporter for a radio station.

He married his wife Nancy in 1970, and they had two sons, Marc and Michael. In 1971, Barnwell was hired by Flying Tigers as an instructor, and when that company merged with FedEx, he was named chief pilot. 

The Barnwells later relocated to Colorado Springs, where Jay worked as a tow pilot for the U.S. Air Force Academy and became a trustee for the Falcon Foundation. He also became a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

In 2013, Barnwell retired and began volunteering at Our Lady of the Pines as stewardship director as well as sacristan, acolyte, extraordinary minister of holy communion and other roles. 
He is survived by his wife Nancy, sons Marc (Amanda) and Michael (Jennifer), six grandchildren, and siblings Betty, Rosemary, Bob, Janie, Mary Lu, Paul, Greg and David.