James Wallace Kern

It is with great sadness our family announces James Wallace Kern, 92, passed away peacefully of natural causes on May 24, 2014 at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center in Vancouver. He will be remembered as a kind, generous man who loved his family and made his community a better place.

He was born May 7, 1922 in Vancouver to Samuel and Huldah Kern. After graduating from Vancouver High School in 1940, he attended King’s Point Merchant Marine Academy, and then served as a proud Merchant Marine in the Pacific and Mediterranean during WWII. After leaving the service, he met Rena Nixon in Portland and they were married on August 7, 1947.

For over 30 years, Jim was co-owner of Vancouver Roofing & Sheet Metal. After he retired, he enjoyed traveling around the US with Rena in their RV. Jim was inventive and a craftsman. He was awarded a patent for his innovative pop-up trailer. He designed and built a grandfather clock mechanism from scratch. Jim was also a patient man as demonstrated by his fine wood carvings.

Jim gave his time and talents to many local organizations over the years, such as the Fort Vancouver Kiwanis, First United Methodist Church, and the Toastmasters. He applied his organizational skills as the Project Chairman for the Columbia River Fishing Pier that many have enjoyed on the east side of the Interstate Bridge. He and Rena served as Park Ranger Volunteers at Joshua Tree National Park for several years.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Rena; his daughter, Claudia , her husband Miki Tokola and their two sons: Ryan and Matthew. He is preceded in death by his son, Ronald; parents, Samuel and Huldah Kern; and brothers Harold, Phil and Chris.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, June 7th in the Hidden Chapel at the First United Methodist Church, 401 E. 33rd St., Vancouver, WA 98662.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to your favorite charity in honor of Jim’s memory.