Jack Bairstow died at his Hanford home of cancer on August 6th at the age of 77 years.
Jack was born in Hanford on November 29, 1922, to Lot Bairstow and Amy (Mellor) Bairstow, both natives of England. His grandfather, John Whitaker Bairstow, immigrated to California from England in 1889 and soon settled with his family in Hanford where he became a prominent nurseryman.
Jack attended local schools and was a 1940 graduate of Hanford High School.
In 1944-45, Jack served with the Fifteenth Air Force in the skies over Southern Europe piloting B-24 Liberators. When his bomber was shot down on a mission over the Balkans, he avoided capture with the help of Yugoslav partisans who smuggled him back to Allied lines to fight again. After learning to fly in the service, he later earned his private pilot's license and flew extensively for many years.
He had been an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (Nisei) Post in Hanford.
Jack particularly enjoyed being with his family, working in his vegetable garden, and fishing at the coast. In his retirement, he and Audrey traveled to many countries in Europe and Asia together.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Audrey; a son, Mark and his wife Nobuko Bairstow of Visalia; two daughters, Donna and husband Keith Winkler of Hanford, and Linda Bairstow and husband Rick Spielman of Albuquerque, NM; a brother, Lot Bairstow of Hanford, a sister Mary Lou Williams of Hanford; six grandchildren, Jeffery and Cindy Winkler, both of Hanford, Ian Spielman of Pasadena, Merak Spielman of Albuquerque, Brian and Miki Bairstow, both of Visalia.
At his request, no services will be held.
Remembrances may be sent to the donor's favorite charity.