Barry Lynn Vermilyea

Barry Vermilyea of Pine City and Maple Grove, passed away Monday, February 13, 2023 at his home in Maple Grove at the age of 81.

Barry Lynn Vermilyea was born December 17, 1941 to Hollis and Glenda (Van Reenan) Vermilyea in Dayton, Ohio and later moved to Chyenne, Wyoming. After graduating from Cheyenne High School he attended the University of Wyoming where he met his future wife, Jewell Gorman. He earned a bachelor’s degree in microbiology and after joined the Air Force where he served as a pilot during the Vietnam War. Barry and Jewell were married on July 17, 1965 and Barry then went on to earn a Masters and Doctorate degree in Food Sciences from Iowa State University.

Barry and Jewell relocated to Brooklyn Park, MN where Barry started his career at Cargill in the food science department. They grew a family over the next few years having two children, Winston and Lynne. When their children were ages 5 and 10, the family moved to Saudi Arabia where he took a position consulting in food processing plants. They lived there for two years. When they returned to the US, Barry worked for various food industry companies and eventually settled in at Land O'Lakes where he worked for most of his career. Barry traveled extensively during his career as a food scientist, consulting for many International companies in over 20 countries throughout Europe and Asia. After they retired Barry and Jewell moved to Pine City, MN to enjoy living in the country. Barry also worked at the Mora Hospital during retirement consulting with the infectious disease department.

In his pastime Barry had a passion for history, particularly military and military aircraft. He enjoyed visiting many historic sites whenever traveling with his family. After leaving the service, he continued to pilot private aircraft well into his seventies. He felt free and alive up in the air! He also loved to travel with the family, having taken trips to Europe, an African safari, trips to Hawaii, and many other locations. Barry had a kind heart and volunteered much of his time caring for feral cats in his community, working closely with the Bitty Kitty Brigade to control cat population and save young kittens.

Barry was best known for his clever humor, fierce determination and generous spirit. 

Barry is survived by his wife Jewell Vermilyea of Maple Grove; children Winston (Natasha) Vermilyea of Northfield, Lynne (Colin) Thiner of St. Michael; grandchildren Ellie, Justin, Evan Thiner and Ariana, Tristan, Agustin Vermilyea; many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Hollis and Glenda Vermilyea.

Funeral services for Barry: 11 AM; Thursday, March 16, 2023 at the First Presbyterian Church in Pine City. A gathering of family and friends is planned for one hour prior to the service at the church. Military honors will be provided at church by the Novak-Milliren VFW Post #4258, Heath-Perkins American Legion Post #51 and the United States Air Force Honor Guard. The interment will take place in Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Friday, March 17 at 1 PM.

Caring for feral cats was an important cause in Barry's life.  Memorials in Barry's memory may be directed to:
Bitty Kitty Brigade
P.O. Box 1878
Maple Grove, MN 55311

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the:  Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City, Swanson Chapel
www.FuneralAndCremationService.com