Kern

Kenneth Daniel Kern came into this world at 3:16 a.m. on Feb. 7, 1969, in Dimmitt, Texas and passed away due to cancer on April 19, 2022, in McKinney, Texas. He was the seventh son and 10th child of Walter "Bud" Kern and Rita Wethington Kern. His arrival brought joy to the Kern family after they suffered the loss of his older infant sibling Diana Rose Kern only seven months before. Kenny was the first baby to be baptized by the new priest, Fr. Stanley Crocchiola at Holy Family Catholic Church in Nazareth, Texas.

After Bob completed the family in 1972, Kenny grew up with nine siblings in a family of two girls and eight boys. He was always tall and athletic. He grew into a young man in the small town of Nazareth, Texas. He went to the local Nazareth schools where he excelled in sports and academics. After school he worked with his father and brothers in his Dad’s local electrical and pump business. The large brood engaged in many fun adventures and family vacations. He developed a love for the outdoors, windmills, trucks, good music, dancing and had many good friends. He was a Boy Scout and participated in many sports. He and his friend Todd Hill won the Texas UIL State Boy's Tennis Doubles championship in 1986 and 1987. He was also a member of the Texas state championship Nazareth High School boys' basketball team in 1986 where he was named to the All-State basketball team.

Kenny attended Texas Tech University and graduated in 1991 with a degree in Agricultural Engineering. He started his engineering career at FM Global where he rose to Group Manager in Account Engineering. Kenny lived in Zachary, Louisiana, Dallas, Texas, and then transferred to East Greenwich, Rhode Island. He returned to the Dallas area to continue his career with the company. His experience included working in the high hazard engineering group, inspecting many power plants, paper mills and chemical plants. He worked for FM Global for twenty years. His travels took him to the Netherlands, Australia, France and Germany.

Kenny enjoyed many sports, particularly football, NASCAR, drag racing and basketball. He was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Tech Red Raiders. He enjoyed travelling and entertaining his friends and family. He loved a good concert and was a great country dancer. He was always fun to be around and told great tales of his adventures with his friends. The greatest joy in his life came when he became a father to twin sons Grayson and Harrison in 2011. He passed on his love of sports to his twin boys. He coached their basketball and football games. He taught them his love of tennis. He enjoyed working on cars and biked with his boys often. His last trip with his boys was to Wyoming and Montana for a family reunion in 2020. He shared his love of the outdoors with his boys on a memorable camping trip to Yellowstone. His greatest achievement was being a father to his two boys. Kenny was a life-long Catholic who had a great love for his family and friends.

Kenny was preceded in death by his father, Walter "Bud" Kern; and sister, Diana Rose Kern. He was also preceded in death by his grandparents, Joe Warren, Rose Wilhelm Kern Warren, Ed Kern, Fred Wethington and Lottie Wethington. He is survived by his sons, Grayson and Harrison Kern of McKinney, Texas; his mother, Rita Wethington Kern of Nazareth, Texas; siblings, Dennis Kern (Patti), Jerry Kern (Carol), Theresa Kern Vo (Long), Tom Kern (Jennifer), Patricia Kern Butler (David), Jim Kern (Elaine), Michael Kern (Candy), Francis Kern (Nini), Bob Kern (Marcia); and numerous nieces and nephews, and several great-nieces and greatnephews.

Funeral arrangements are conducted by Colonial Funeral Home of Dimmitt, Texas. His vigil and viewing will take place on Sunday, April 24 at 6 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Nazareth. Mass of Christian burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 25 at the same location. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to his children Grayson and Harrison’s college fund at 8124 Davidson Drive, Plano, TX, 75025, Attention: Michael Kern or Venmo at KernTwinFund29.