John Barainca was born in Elko, Nevada on October 5, 1935 to Juan Barainca and Pauline Guidici Barainca. He graduated from White Pine High School, in Ely, Nevada. While in high school, he met Denice Murphy and they were married in 1954. At her death in July 2014 they had been married 60 years. They had three daughters; Wendy, Jacqui, and Janet. John received a bachelor and masters degree at Brigham Young University. He taught science for Jordan School District in several capacities, including teaching at Brighton High School. During that time he was selected as one of the two teachers to represent the state of Utah in the Teachers in Space program. He developed a project called Starlab where his students participated in mock space flights. His students also had an experiment that was aboard the Space Shuttle. In addition, he taught astronomy at Salt Lake City Community College. John\s passion for astronomy and space flight involved him in many projects, including working for the Mars Habitat project near Moab, Utah, giving stargazing presentations for Snowbird Ski Resort, and many others. John was also a pilot. He earned his pilot\s license as a young man and later became a flight instructor. He was a long-time member and Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol. John is preceded in death by his wife Denice Murphy Barainca and his daughter JacquiBarainca Suker. He is survived by his daughters Wendy Pipkin and Janet Rock,15 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Friends and family are invited to attend a funeral service on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the Falcon Park Ward, 9119 S. 1300 E., Sandy with a visitation prior from 9:30-10:30 AM. Interment to follow at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery, 1950 E. 10600 S., Sandy.
