Jerry Melvin Kern

Do you believe in Sasquatch? Before you answer, consider Jerry Melvin Kern, who many of you knew as “Bear”. If you had the honor of knowing Jerry, chances are you’ve been asked that very question. If your answer was yes, his face would light up, and the adventurous stories would begin. If you answered no, his expression would assure you that you were wrong, and the stories would begin anyway. That is one of the greatest gifts Jerry ever gave the people who knew him. His passion for the things he believed in, and the pure joy that sharing his passions gave him.

Jerry was born May 31st, 1971, in Harrington, Washington. His love for nature was always referred to as something he could thank his parents for, because of his years with them on the family farm, and the many life lessons they taught him. There was no task he could not conquer, and no trade he could not master. Jerry’s artistic abilities were prodigious, and his creations were unlike anything you could find elsewhere. Whether he was building a house from the ground up, or piecing together hundreds of tiny pieces of wood to create mosaics that would touch the hearts of anyone who was lucky enough to see them, his creations were extraordinary. His intelligence is noteworthy. Jerry was a Boise State Alumni who channeled his literary skills into stories that ultimately led to him becoming a published author. Jerry was blessed with a long list of talents, skill sets, and abilities. All of which he was too humble to brag about.

Jerry was a man of few words, but when he spoke, everyone listened. His family was his life, and everything else came second as far as what was important to him. We were blessed to learn so many valuable lessons from Jerry, and a few that one could consider to be comedically questionable. There is no substitute for hard work. Family is a blessing from God, and you take care of each other no matter what. Your actions speak to your character. God is good, and you can do nothing without prayer. It’s not what you have, but what you make from what you have. There’s nothing you can’t smell in order to determine its true expiration date. It takes a real man to rock a permed mullet. And of course, you don’t need two thumbs to create something beautiful.

The greatest lesson of all, was that blood may be thicker than water, but love is thicker than blood. Jerry was proof that any man can help make a child, but it takes a special man to raise them. In Jerry’s case, he married the love of his life, and never thought twice about the task of raising the eight children she came with. He took on the role of Dad without hesitation, and gladly helped shape each and every one of them into the people they are today. Jerry became the husband, and father they all needed. And, as life progressed, he became the Papa that his children’s children would need.

Jerry was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and so much more. The love he gave everyone who knew him, is something I think we all will never forget. When you think of Jerry, think of the things that made you smile, made you laugh, and made you wonder what the heck he was even talking about, and of course, that no matter what you may think, from his lips to God’s ears…

“That damn Sasquatch is out there, and I’m gonna get him”. – Jerry M. Kern

Jerry entered eternal life on Monday, March 3rd, 2020. His spirit is carried on by the love of his life, his wife, Michelle Kern. His children, who he cherished more than anything in this world, Alicia Smith, Jennifer Hemphill, Mallory Rogers, Elyzabeth Smith, Chelsea Smith, DJ Smith, Cain Kern, and Mya Kern. His grandchildren, who stole his heart, Jayden Hemphill, Carson Rogers, Raiden Rogers, Oden Kern, Titan Kern, Alex Tillison, and Kayden Tillison. His daughter-in-law, and sons-in-law, who he loved, and was proud to call his own, Scott Tillison, Grant Rogers, JD Perales, and Lacie Kern. His grandmother, who held the most precious place in his heart, Margaret Maurer. His parents, who he loved, adored, and greatly admired, Dee Kern and Jim Kern. His siblings, who he loved so dearly, his brother Tony Kern, and his wife Veronica Kern, and his sister, Kim Flick, and her husband Travis Flick. And, his nieces and nephews, who he loved and missed, Jessica Flick, Sarah Flick, Madison Flick, Wyatt Flick, Victoria Kern, Austin Kern, and Vanessa Kern. As well as an extended family of relations and friends from every walk of life. Jerry is preceded in death by his grandfather, Melvin Maurer, and his cousin, Sean Maurer.