September 26, 2009

Wayne Edwin Kern, 61, died unexpectedly on Saturday, September 26, 2009, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center.

Born in Kingsport, he attended Lynn View High School where he played football and from where he graduated in 1966. He received a B.S. Degree in Agriculture in 1970 from the University of Tennessee. After graduating from UT, Wayne served four years in the United States Navy during the Vietnam Conflict. He then returned to the University of Tennessee and received another B.S. Degree in Geology. While at UT completing his second degree, Wayne joined Chi Phi fraternity.

After college, Wayne was employed for 25½ years with the U.S. Department of Defense in the National Emergency and Mapping Agency in the cities of Louisville, KY, Washington, DC, and St. Louis, MO. An avid chef, Wayne also enjoyed working as a caterer while in Washington, DC. After retirement, he returned to Kingsport. He was a member of Harvey Brown Presbyterian Church in Louisville, KY, and attended Grace Covenant Church in Kingsport. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and was an avid Vols fan.

He was preceded in death by grandparents, Charles and Mary Waters Kerns of Clinchport, VA; Pearly Beam of Tazewell County, VA, and Norma Beam Martin of Kingsport; great-grandparents, Francis and Orpha Wolfe Greear of Coeburn, VA.

Wayne is survived by his parents, Walter Ray "Shorty" and Anita Beam Kern of Kingsport; sister, Dianna Kay Hurd and husband Rufus of Duffield, VA; nephew, Ryan Matthew Hurd of Gate City, VA; special friends, Keith Lipe and family of Louisville, KY; Dan Polley and wife Dr. Barbara Polley and children of Louisville, KY; one uncle, two aunts, several cousins, and a host of friends.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at Hamlett-Dobson, Kingsport. Funeral services will be held following the visitation with Dr. J. Edward Clevinger officiating and a eulogy by Keith Lipe.

Burial will follow the funeral at Oak Hill Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be family members and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the National Emergency and Mapping Agency of St. Louis, MO, Curtis Powers of Coeburn, VA, Donnie Clamon, Wayne Vandergriff, Keith Lipe, and Dan Polley.

Memorial contributions may be given to Grace Covenant Church; P.O. Box 7532; Kingsport, TN 37664 or a charity of your choice.