Albert John Fern Jr.

1927 - 2013

Albert John Fern Jr. obituary, 1927-2013, SAN DIEGO , CA

BORN

1927

DIED

2013

FUNERAL HOME

Beardsley-Mitchell Funeral Home

1818 Sunset Cliffs Blvd

San Diego, California

Albert Fern Obituary

Fern Jr., Albert John 11/03/1927 ~ 11/06/2013 SAN DIEGO -- Albert J. Fern, Jr., a native San Diegan and highly decorated war hero, died peacefully in the early morning hours of Wednesday, November 6, 2013, three days after his 86th birthday. Mr. Fern, a Korean and Vietnam War veteran (USA-RET) and second-generation member of the San Diego community, is a graduate of San Diego High School and West Point Military Academy (1950). After suffering a stroke at his home in San Diego in March 2012, he moved to Austin, Texas, to be near his daughters Charlene (Charlie) Fern and Catherine (Catie) Franklin. Mr. Fern was preceded in death by his mother Dora Francis Fern and father Albert John Fern, Sr., and a brother Paul Fern, all of San Diego. He is survived by his sister Gloria Wollenhaupt of Ramona, CA; and four children: Susan Pfadenhauer-Fern of Germany; Paul Fern of Las Cruces, NM; Catherine Franklin of Denver, CO; and Charlene Fern of Austin, TX; and five grandchildren: Jennifer Thompson-Logan, John Thompson, Kara Fern-Vulpes, Ashley Fern and Elliot Moore. Services will be this week in San Diego, California. Viewing for family and friends will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 14, 2013, at Beardsley-Mitchell Funeral Home, 1818 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., San Diego. A chapel service will take place at Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church on Friday, November 15, 2013, at 10:00 a.m., and graveside services with full military honors will follow at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery at 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given in his honor to Hospice Austin, Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church, or the West Point Military Academy Alumni Association. To leave comments for the family, please visit the online guest registry at www. wcfish.com or www. beardsleymitchell.com. Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX - (512) 452-8811 and Beardsley-Mitchell Funeral Home, 1818 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., San Diego, CA - (619) 223-8100.

Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Nov. 13, 2013.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Albert Fern

Sponsored by Beardsley-Mitchell Funeral Home.

Not sure what to say?





6 Entries

Thinking of you, missing you dad.

catie franklin

December 10, 2013

Al Fern is part of some of my favorite memories. We were boy scouts when we were kids, and went on to camping in the Cuyamaca mountains in high school. We spent long hours working on the San Diego High School Russ newspaper for three years. We were co-Sports Editors together, and he went on to be Editor. In 1952 while Al was stationed at the Presidio in San Francisco he was an usher when Charlotte and I were married in the Stanford University Church. I was very pleased to attend his 70th birthday celebration organized by his family in 1997. I enjoyed spending time with him again in 2002-2004 when I was visiting San Diego frequently collecting copies of my father's Russ columns to publish in a book. I am grateful to our friend Bill Daniels for keeping me informed of Al's situation lately. I send my condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed.
Dick Aseltine

Dick Aseltine

December 8, 2013

My mother-in-law Julie Chase Binkley was Al's cousin. We just heard through Ancestry.com about Al's passing, and send our heartfelt condolences. My husband Robert Bloodgood and I had several holiday dinners with Gloria at Julie's house in years past. I heard many good things about Al and the entire Fern family.

Kimberly Bloodgood

November 23, 2013

I had the pleasure and honor of knowing Col. Fern. He came in to my life, a few years ago, very brusk and military-like, which I was taken aback by given his slight stature. After a few visits to the office, Col. Fern showed his true self. He was funny, kind, caring and VERY proud, especially of his country, his men and his service. Shortly before he was relocated to TX from CA, his faculties had diminished. I could see that this very proud soldier was in need. Our conversations had gone from quick quips to the realities of aging. We discussed many things unrelated to the business of accounting. I found that, for him, our time together was a social event and was happy to indulge. Our face to face meetings abruptly ceased after his stroke. He no longer had the ability to drive. We had precious few phone conversations prior to being moved to NM, after which I no longer had contact with him. I will remember Col. Fern and all he did for our country. I will also remember him because he was a wonderful human being....

November 13, 2013

My deepest sympathy to my friend Al Fern and also his sister Gloria on his loss. We had many good times together with stories and get togethers. He was a good man and we will miss him.

Joe Schloss

November 13, 2013

MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE AL FERN FAMILY..I HAVE KNOWN BOTH JUNIOR AND SENIOR, MEETING SENIOR WHEN HE WAS A COURT CLERK AND A POKER FRIEND OF MY DAD...AND JUNIOR AS A LONG TIME MEMBER OT THE POINT LOMA COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WHERE I SAY JUNIOR WEEKLY...I AM AWARE OF JUNIOR'S WAR TIME EX[ERIENCES, AND THAT HE WAS A HERO...HE WAS A REAL GENTLEMAN, AND HAD MANY, MANY FRIENDS, INCLUDING ME.....GEORGE REIS/POINT LOMA/SAN DIEGO

GEORGE REIS

November 13, 2013

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results

Make a Donation
in Albert Fern's name

Memorial Events
for Albert Fern

Nov

14

Viewing

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Beardsley-Mitchell Funeral Home

1818 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107

Nov

15

Service

10:00 a.m.

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church

CA

Nov

15

Graveside service

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery

CA

Funeral services provided by:

Beardsley-Mitchell Funeral Home

1818 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107

How to support Albert's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Albert Fern's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more