Earl Herbert Kerns, Sr.

Earl H. “Bud” Kerns, Sr., 88 of the Laurel Point community, stepped from the confines of earth into the realms of Glory to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, July 30, 2017.

Earl is survived by his wife of 69 years, Louise Jones Kerns; one daughter, Pat Kerns of Morgantown; three sons and spouses; Earl Kerns, Jr. and wife Patricia of Columbus, OH; William Kerns and wife Beverly of Pittsburgh, PA; Gregory Kerns and wife Jan of Morgantown, WV; one son-in-law Terrence Myers and wife Donna of Palm Bay, FL; seven grandchildren; Kimberly Myers Gifford and husband Matt of Melbourne Beach, FL; Krista Kerns Shonk and husband Nathan of Oakton, VA; Janna Kerns Jenkins and husband Jared of Morgantown, WV; Timothy Kerns and wife Kristen of Columbus, OH; Bethany Kerns of Columbus, OH; Karissa Kerns Sims and husband Matt of Morgantown, WV; Joshua Kerns of Morgantown, WV; six great-grandchildren; Blake Gifford; Cole Gifford; Wyatt Gifford; Emerson Shonk; Madison Sims; Grace Jenkins. Earl is also survived by his sister, Ann Kerns Dunaway of Redding, California.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest R. Kerns and Elsie Martin Kerns, his brothers, Martin Kerns and Ernest “Buster” Kerns, and his eldest daughter, Karen Kerns Myers.

Earl was born September 1, 1928 in the Martin Hollow area outside of Morgantown. He was a 1946 graduate of University High School, where he was active in FFA. Earl joined the United States Army September 2, 1946, the day after his 18th birthday. He served in Korea until 1948, when he was honorably discharged as Sergeant.

Earl received certification from West Virginia University’s Mining and Industrial Extension Service and obtained his Electrician’s Certificate from the West Virginia Department of Mines. He was an Electrician/Mechanic for Consolidation Coal Company, where he retired in 1995, after having completed 47 years of service.

Earl was President of the United Mine Workers of America Local 5429 and served as a State representative to the National Mine Workers Union Conference in Colorado. He was a pillar of the Laurel Point community, where he played an instrumental role in obtaining infrastructure for city water. Earl was President of Kerns Enterprises and Land Developer of Hillview Estates. He served as a church trustee and camp counselor in his younger years; most recently, he attended Morgantown Bible Church. Earl was an exceptionally hard-working man of faith who cherished his community, and most especially his family.

Earl’s family will receive friends at the Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home on Thursday, August 3, 2017 from 11am until services at 1pm with William Kerns and Pastor Jim Cooley officiating. Earl will be laid to rest at the Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens with military honors conducted by the Westover VFW Post 9916 and the WVANG, Camp Dawson.

Please consider a donation to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Thursday, August 03, 2017 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home 10 S. High St. Morgantown, West Virginia 26501

Thursday, August 03, 2017 1:00 PM

Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home 10 S. High St. Morgantown, West Virginia 26501