Kern James Ducote Jr.

On February 11, 2022, Kern James Ducote, Jr., of Perry Hall, died unexpectedly at 57 years young. Born on December 27, 1964 to Loretta (nee Devan) and the late Kern Ducote, Sr. He was raised in Perry Hall and graduated from Perry Hall High School in 1982. Dedicated and loving husband to Stephanie (nee Lucas) for 36 years. Devoted father to Kern James Ducote, III and his wife Mikaela (nee Steinwedell) and Jason Scott Ducote and his girlfriend Katlyn Harrison. Treasured son-in-law of Thomas and Virginia Lucas. Beloved younger brother of Ronald Ducote and his wife Lisa, Edward Ducote and his wife Stephanie, and adored older brother of Joy Akehurst and the late Brian Akehurst. Dear brother-in-law to Corianna Culp and Robert and McKenzie Lucas. Kern was a second father to Christiana and John Correlli, Brian Akehurst and Grahme Akehurst. Beloved Uncle to Amie Greb, Melissa Copenhaver, Emily Ducote, Dallas Ducote, Claire Ducote, Laura and Brett Morrison, Grace and Chase Roush, Lauren Culp, Ryan Culp, Austin Culp, Christian Culp, Karsyn Lucas, Emma Lucas, Preston Lucas and Delaney Lucas. He was a great friend to many and fishing partner to even more.

Kern and his wife Stephanie bought a Precision Tune franchise in 1990 and became the primary automotive center in Rosedale for almost 25 years. Kern was a master mechanic. His lifelong dream of being “FIFTY and FREE” came true in 2015 when he sold the business. He spent the next 2 ½ years living life on his own terms. He fished as much as possible while occasionally working as a first mate on several rockfish charter boats. He eventually traded his freedom for a desk job with Baltimore County Public Schools. He often said the county needed him. In 2017, he got his Coast Guard captain’s license and began working as a captain on the Tipsy Tiki in Ocean City, Maryland. It became more of a hobby and a family to Kern than a second job.

Kern was a man of quiet faith with a hardworking code of ethics. He worked hard and he played hard. To say he was a passionate fisherman is an understatement. His heart literally beat for fishing. Every spare moment was spent on the bay catching flounder with one of his many dear friends. He was a passionate outdoorsman but could never be long without a fishing rod in his hand. He lived every day of his life to the fullest: living by the motto: you can sleep when you die.

Kern’s death was both sudden and untimely. Family and friends will honor Kern at Schimunek Funeral Home at 9705 Belair Road, Nottingham, MD 21236 on Tuesday, February 15 from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. A funeral Service will be held to celebrate his rich life at Central Christian 7411 Rossville Blvd 21237 on Wednesday, February 16 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to either the Catch-a-dream Foundation https://www.catchadream.org/inmemory/ or the Chesapeake Bay foundation at https://secure.cbf.org/site/Donation2?df_id=1502&mfc_pref=T&1502.donation=form1