Donald Arvin Kern Sr.

Donald was born to Gustave and Maude Kern in Milford, Delaware on December 5, 1922 and attended Temple University in Pennsylvania. Donald served in the US Navy during WWII, and afterwards in the Texas National Guard, retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer III. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge (33rd degree), and was an elder member of the El Maida Shrine Temple.

Donald worked for and retired from Raytheon Company as a training supervisor. He was the driving force in the instruction of overseas personnel and the development of the Hawk Missile System, which was the predecessor to the Patriot Missile System. His job adventures and travels took him around the world to such locations as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Jordan and Egypt. He instilled his experiences and wealth of knowledge in his family values and all of our lives are enriched because of him.

His legacy includes: Daughters: Donna Lee Salas (Ray) and Martha Torres (Raymond) Sons: Jerome (Greenbelt, MD) Robert, Don, Jr. and Gustave Andrew (Ft. Lauderdale, FL). Grandchildren: Stephen and Wendy Salas, Armando, Manuel, Jimmy, Johnny, Luis, Henry, Yvette, and Espy Luna, Joseph, Melissa, and Robert Jr. Kern, as well as many beloved great grandchildren.

Donald is preceded in death by sisters Eleanor (Shank), Patricia (Jicha), and brother Robert (Kern). He is survived by sisters, Norma Beebe, Charlotte Mumford (Sonny), Janet Webb, and many endeared extended family members in Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Graveside Service will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, November 25, 2011 at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery. Funeral Arrangements under the direction of FDA Martin Central, 3839 Montana Ave.