Barry Dearborn

Obituary for Barry Claude Dearborn

December 25,1942 - February 3, 2026

Barry Claude Dearborn passed away peacefully at home on February 3, 2026, with his devoted family surrounding him. Born in Providence, RI, on Christmas Day, 1942, Barry and twin brother Larry L. Dearborn were the first two of five children (siblings Jay, Jeff and Jenny). In 1965 Barry married Martha Anderson, and was a loving, participating dad to sons Eric, Kevin, and daughter Melissa. In 1978 he married Mary Ann Van Veldhuisen and gained another son, Nicholas.

In 1950, his father and mother Curtis and Doris Dearborn, accepted an assignment in Alaska and with the family and traveled up the newly completed Alaska Highway to Palmer, settling at the Agricultural Experimental Station. Shortly thereafter, they moved to their family-built new home on their nearby homestead (now the Dearborn farm) and swam and water skied at their Finger Lake property.

Graduating as Valedictorian in 1960 from Palmer High School, Barry earned his BA and MA degrees (with honors) in electrical engineering/computer technology from Oregon State University in Corvallis. Enlisting in the military in 1967, he spent 3 & 1/2 years at Fort Mead, MD, subsequently leaving the USAF as a Captain in 1971. From there came a few years at the Naval Weapons Center in China Lake, CA, then back to his beloved Alaska. In 2001 he lived on the Oregon coast for 3+ years, before moving back to Finger Lake to design and build his beautiful home.

His Alaska working career began with ML & P in Anchorage, then ended with the Bureau of Land Management until his retirement. He often helped his geologist brother

Larry with hydrology projects throughout the state. In his free time, Barry was also a skier, a 5K – 10K runner, hiker, and an active sportsman at golf, hockey, fishing, & hunting. He was also a skilled woodworker, part-time electrician, and craftsman. Most recently, he was a cheering grandpa at his grandkid's sporting events.

Music was a huge part of Barry's life - from his college group "The Lancers" where he played lead guitar and sang harmonies (paid his way through college) to most recently, with his partner Kathy Claiborne playing for 10+years at the Alaska state fair and various state festivals as "The Whee Duet Band". Brother Jay frequently joined them.

Surviving him are his 4 children,12 amazing grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and his beloved partner Kathy Claiborne.

Barry was a truly kind, considerate, and helpful person who consistently followed "The Golden Rule". He will be deeply and sadly missed by family, and his many beloved close friends and musician pals. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. We hope that your best remembrances of Barry remain personal, heartfelt and enduring.