J.R. Bernard

Jay was born on September 24, 1930 in Russell Springs, KY, the son of Jonah Ray Bernard and Ova Dunbar Bernard. He married Dorothy Barnes on February 28th, 1982, and she survives.

Also surviving is his daughter, Mitzi Bernard; stepchildren, Mitzi Bonnell and Janet Murphy; one grandchild, Zoe Nardo; and step-grandchildren, Hunter Buttrey, Hannah Madison, and Jonathan Murphy.

Jay served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Following his time in the Air Force, he attended Lindsey Wilson College. He worked in management for Top Value Stamps from 1956, until his retirement in 1979.

After retirement, Jay moved to Nashville where he met and fell in love with the love of his life, Dorothy Bernard. He and Dorothy remained in Nashville since.

Often known to be very quiet and laid back, Jay had a very subtle charm about him. He loved spending time with his family and friends, and he enjoyed attending Church functions at West Nashville Cumberland Presbyterian Church where he was a member for 32 years.

Jay was a lover of college football and basketball, and especially The Kentucky Wildcats. He had a heart filled with stories from his time in the service. Often, he would talk about his love for our country, and he had a plethora of knowledge in anything history related.

Jay will be greatly missed.

A Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday, June 9th, 2020 at eleven o’clock in the morning at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Nashville.

In lieu of flowers, that family asks that you instead donate to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in honor of Jay’s love for helping others in need.

https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html