James S. Kerns' Obituary
Born in Tacoma on August 25, 1928. Passed away on July 19, 2005.He is survived by his wife Patricia of 28 years; son Harold (Kathy) Kerns, daughters Janet Kerns (Steve Kovac) and Michel (Doug) Topp; adopted Son Hikaru; step-son Aaron (Lorna) Harrington; grandchildren Kayla, Nicola, Leah, Zoe, and Brendan.The family moved to JimÂ's paternal grandparents homestead near St. Ignatius, MT. He started school there and completed grade school in the project town of Wheeler, MT where his father, Harry, worked on the Fort Peck Dam.The family returned to Washington, where his father found employment at the Navy Shipyards in Bremerton. After the death of his father in 1941, Jim and his mother, Rose, returned to the Tacoma area where he has resided ever since.Jim graduated from Lincoln HS in 1947 and Pacific Lutheran College in 1951. Following graduation he served almost three years in the U.S. Army, primarily in Japan. It was there that he married his first wife, the late Chiyo Kerns. Janet, Harold and Michel were children of this union.Jim taught school and coached for 14 years in Pierce and King County. He continued his education with graduate work at PLU and Western Washington University where he received his MasterÂ's Degree in 1968.In 1972 he went to work for the State of Washington as a caseworker for D.S.H.S. He worked there for almost 20 years.In was in 1977 that he married Patricia Â"PatÂ", thereby acquiring a very young stepson Aaron Harrington, who has made him very proud to have been a part of his life.Jim was active in the YMCA Indian Guides, cub scouts, coaching school sports, youth and adult recreation teams. As an educator he served as president of several teacherÂ's groups as well as his union as a state employee and on labor/management committee. For over 50 years he has been active in his church, Bethlehem Lutheran, as a Sunday school teacher, deacon, president, council member, and a member of various committees. He became a volunteer on the Pierce County Long Term Care Ombudsman program which provides advocacy for residents in various types of facilities.Memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 23, 2005 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 101 East 38th St. Tacoma. Remembrances to music or scholarship fund at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, PLU, or charity of personal choice.
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