John Kern

ohn Sherman Kern John Sherman Kern, age 72, of Bluffton, SC died September 2nd, 2015 after a long battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Selma and Kenneth Kern, and brother Ken Kern. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marie (Mancini) Kern, son John Kern, daughter-in-law Kimberly Kern and daughters Elizabeth (Kern) Christensen and Amanda Kern, in addition to his four grandchildren Ashleigh, Paige, Caroline Kern and Emily Christensen, all residing in Fairfax and Arlington, VA. John was born October 6, 1942 and raised in Moon Township, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Moon Township High School and Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, PA. He entered the military in 1966 after flight training, and served in Vietnam as a Pilot of the OV-1 Mohawk Intelligence Aircraft and Infantry Officer Leader, where he received the Bronze Star, Air Medal with 21 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Vietnam Distinguished Service Cross. John joined Northwest Airlines as a Pilot in 1971, and for the next 30 years worked for the airlines and FAA in various capacities. While in the FAA he became the Director of Flight Procedure, Training and Standards, and Service and Deputy Associate Administrator for Aviation Standards. At Northwest Airlines he was the Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief Safety Officer, all while continuing his passion for flying whenever possible. John retired in 2001 in Sanibel Island, FL. and Arlington, VA. While he still continued to improve airline safety and efficiency, he found more time to enjoy cruising on his boat on the Intracoastal Waterway from the Chesapeake Bay to his home dock in Sanibel Island, FL., and traveled frequently with his wife Marie. John and Marie most recently resided in Sun City, SC and frequently traveled to Northern Virginia to visit their children and grandchildren. "ACE", as he is known to our family, was a loving, generous, devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother in law, and friend. His optimism and positive spirit will be greatly missed and never forgotten. A memorial service will be held at St. Andrews Chapel, Pinckney Colony Road, Bluffton, SC on Saturday, September 5th, 2015 at 1 o'clock pm. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice Care of the Low Country. An additional service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, with a time and date to be determined.