High Mountain Hay Fever Festival Association celebrates the life of Vic Barnes, Vice President of the organization. He and Jacke ran the beer tent at the annual bluegrass festival for as long as I can remember, turning it into the social center for the weekend where folks would reconnect with friends, and make some new acquaintances. It speaks to Vic’s sense of community that there was never a lack of help, with family and friends always stepping forward.
Over the years, Vic worked in multiple areas on widespread wildlife and conservation issues. In this valley where there are all kinds of folks who had interesting pasts and jobs, Vic had one of the coolest, working with the Kodiak Brown Bears in Alaska. The research and management of the bears was a passion that he continued to pursue deep into retirement.
He was active in multiple and varied community organizations in the valley; Wet Mountain Valley Community Foundation, High Mountain Hay Fever Festival Association, Custer County Planning Commission, and San Isabel Land Protection Trust. It speaks to his level of commitment and reputation that he was in a position of leadership in all of those organizations.
It was fitting at his memorial service that every facet of the community was well represented: ranching, local government, conservation, historical and the arts. Few people in the community could garner such widespread respect. And it was great to see his large and loving family front and center taking charge on that day.
This community is better off because he has been a part of it. I am better off because I knew him and could call him a friend.
Gary Taylor