J.D. Kerns

Junie Duane “J.D.” Kerns, 81, of Kansas City, Kansas, passed away August 28, 2012 at home. Funeral services will be 12:00 Noon, Saturday, September 1 at Chapel Hill-Butler Funeral Home, 701 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kansas. Friends may call from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday at the funeral home. Interment with Military Honors will follow the service in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

J.D. was born October 31, 1930 to Oliver Casey Melvin and Emma May Grace (Jennings) Kerns and they lived in Chillicothe until his teen years. He was a very handsome young man and worked on a trash route when he was younger. They lived in a very small home with a pond and a large field and the school was right down the road. He later moved to Nevada, Missouri, where he worked at an egg hatchery. He made $19.50 a week and rent was only five dollars a month. In Nevada is where he met Martha Baldwin, born June 14, 1936. They married January 19, 1952 and had four boys and two girls. It was once said that “their love was the kind you see in movies.” Martha died of cancer January 13, 1985, leaving behind lots of love and stories to tell. J.D. was drafted to the Army two days after Christmas in 1954. He served in Alaska for two years and came back home two days before Christmas in 1956. After his service, his entire family moved to Kansas City where he worked first, as a gas station attendant, then for the Burlington Northern Railroad in April of 1957. He retired after 35 years of service in October of 1992. J.D. married once more to Jackie in 1979. She was also born on October 31st in 1932. They lived a long life together; visiting states all over the country and playing at the favorite casinos. Hundreds of pictures were taken and millions of memories were made. Jackie passed away in 2006 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

J.D. was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Martha and his second wife Jackie, as well as son Wayne Bailes, daughter Teresa Garren, sister Mary Rudasill, and brother–in-law Rudy Rudasill.

He is survived by his son Robert Kerns and wife Patty of Kansas City, Missouri, son Junior Kerns and wife Debbie of Nevada, Missouri, son Donnie Kerns of Nevada, Missouri, son Michael Kerns and wife Sherry of Tonganoxie, Kansas, son Gary Bailes of Amorett, Missouri, daughter Wanda Maggard of Lamar, Missouri, daughter Deborah Lopez of Kansas City, Kansas and daughter Dana Clouse and husband John of Kansas City, Kansas as well as 25 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, many friends and relatives.