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1927
2013
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.
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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
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Nov
14
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Beardsley-Mitchell Funeral Home1818 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107
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Beardsley-Mitchell Funeral Home1818 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107
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