Earl graduated Hattiesburg High School in 1957 and studied journalism at the University of Southern Mississippi. Earl was the owner of Tropical Isle Inc. and is known as the Co-inventor of the world-famous Hand Grenade. Prior to his career in New Orleans, Mr. Bernhardt was a country music radio personality known as “Earl Hart” in Hattiesburg for 27 years. Earl was also a member of Petal First Baptist Church in Petal, MS.
He is survived by his wife, Martha Overstreet Bernhardt; three daughters, Lisa Conroy (Tom), Emily West (Ed), and Jennifer Scott (John); seven grandchildren, Destin Dickinson, Thomas Conroy, Bradley Haring, Kevin Conroy, Eric West, David Scott and Benjamin Scott; 5 Great-grandchildren, Parker Haring, Lane Hatten, Keliegh Haring, Taylor Conroy and Easton Dickinson; one sister, Frances Sudduth (Phil); and his business partner, Pamela Fortner.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a public visitation on Monday, December 16, 2019 in the Omni Royal Orleans, 621 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70130, beginning at 11am followed by a Celebration of Life at 1pm. A reception will follow the service at Tropical Isle, 721 Bourbon St.
There will be another service held on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Petal, with a visitation beginning one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Petal First Baptist Church, 992 Hwy 42 Petal, MS 39465; Holy Cross Anglelican School, P.O.Box 59 San Pedro Ambergis Cage, Belize, Central America.
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