Thomas William Kern Jr.

Passed away on May 30, 2018. Born in Rome, New York, July 7, 1929, he was a resident of Oakwood for more than fifty years. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, the Honorable Lillian M. Kern, his parents, Thomas W. Kern, Sr., Mary Kehoe Kern and a sister. He graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Villanova University, whose purpose since 1842 has been “the development of Christian Gentlemen, soundly educated” and Tom reflected this purpose throughout his life. As a member of the Navel ROTC, he served three years active duty assigned to the USS Purdy, and continued as a Lt. JG in the “Ready Reserve” on inactive duty. He continued his education at George Washington University working for the degree of Master of Engineering Administration, and also studying operations research along with digital computer programming techniques with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Tom’s first job was with the Systems Analysis Groups of Melpar, Inc., in Falls Church, Virginia, where he prepared computer programs for the Burroughs 220, a component of the FINDER System. He moved to Dayton in 1960 to join the Data Processing Systems and Sales Department of The National Cash Register Company. While at NCR he was sent to Nurnberg, Germany, as a Technical Liaison for 26 weeks. He was transferred to Corporate Systems Standards and on to Stakeholder Relations Division in 1993, retiring in 1994, after thirty-four years of service. He was a member of the Dayton Jaycees, Sister City Association of Oakwood, and Oakwood Kiwanis. Patron of the Arts in Dayton, Tom supported the Dayton Ballet, Dayton Opera and Philharmonic as well as the Dayton Art Institute, where he volunteered after retiring. He loved to spend time with “The City Club” members: the Logans, McCoys, Reinharts, Snouffers, Somers and Wingers. His hobbies were reading everything and fishing anytime. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at 9:30a.m. followed with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 4600 Ackerman Boulevard. Interment will be at the Dayton National Military Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, 126 North Main St., #210, Dayton, OH 45402, or to a charity of your choice.