James Kerns

James Roland "Jim" Kerns, 84, Prairie Village, Kansas, passed away Thursday, October 28, 2010, at Carondelet Manor, Kansas City, Missouri.

Jim was born October 23, 1926, in Lincoln, Kansas, to George and Evelyn Kerns. In 1943 he joined the United States Navy, retiring after 22 years with the rank of Chief Commissaryman in 1965. He was a veteran of World War II, the Korean Conflict and during the Vietnam Era. After Jim's tour in Hawaii, he met Carrie Lowe, the love of his life and they were married in 1948.

Following retirement he and his family moved to Overland Park, Kansas, where he started his career with Glenwood Manor. Jim also worked with Grand American Hotel Management. Following retirement, Jim spent his remaining years at HyVee in the meat department. Jim was a member of the Fleet Reserve and a longtime member of the Kansas and Missouri Hotel and Restaurant Associations.

Jim was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathryn Kerns, parents and his sister, Donna Andreasen. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Carrie Kerns; two sons, Michael Kerns and his wife, Sharon, Portland, Oregon, and Mitch Kerns and his wife, Chris, Prairie Village, Kansas; three sisters, Lou, Sue and Joann; five grandchildren, Christina, Christopher, Tara, Kyle and Scott; and four great grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 6800 W. 93rd Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66212 or www.americanheart.org

Memorial Service

Memorial service will be 10:00 am, Monday, November 1, 2010, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee.