Wayne Alvin Kerns

Wayne Alvin Kerns walked into the arms of his Heavenly Savior, December 13, 2013. He was born December 16, 1945 in Eugene, Oregon to Alvin and Jessie (Lanham) Kerns. He graduated in 1964 from North Eugene High School and attended OSU until enlisting in the Navy during the Vietnam War. While stationed in Okinawa, Japan, he met the love of his life, Aiko. The two were married in Eugene, Oregon 42 years ago upon his completion of military service.

Wayne spent 28 years working for the Springfield Police Department, retiring as a sergeant in 2001. He then began his new career as a hay farmer in the Creswell area. He loved family, fishing, hunting, John Deere tractors, all things Chevy, and was one of the best story tellers around.

Wayne was a man of faith, honor and integrity and was someone you knew you could count on. He was the type of neighbor everyone wished they could have. He cared deeply about others and had the ability to make you feel as if he was your best friend.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Aiko, and his four nieces and their families: Judy (& Craig) Peters, Lynda Person Kauffman, Jenneth (& Darrel) Wilson, and Sarah (& John) Bloom. He is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters: Joyce Brown and Joan Person, and a nephew, Ricky Brown.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, December 21st at 1 pm at the New Hope Baptist Church in Creswell, Oregon. Memorial contributions may be given to the Springfield Police Department Canine Program.

Arrangements entrusted to Lane Memorial Funeral Home. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com

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

Published by Eugene Register-Guard on Dec. 20, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Wayne Kerns

13 Entries

Rich Charboneau

January 10, 2014

Some days at work I think of the tough, sensitive man, Wayne Kerns, who could figure out anything mechanical. As I ordered police cars today I remembered a pursuit that ended in a wreck that Wayne convinced me was not a wreck. Wayne proceeded to repair the car in the middle of the night at the back of the station and then said "look, you can't even tell." Wayne lived a full life and talked about Aiko so often. We all miss him and will always remember those many stories.

Tony Swinney

December 26, 2013

Wayne and I met while I was delivering a piece of farm machinery to Toshio's place. We hit it off by having a lot of the same interests in old farm machinery. Wayne was a real honest down-to-earth sort of person. I always looked forward to visiting with him by phone or when I was in town. He is missed.

Larry Brown

December 25, 2013

I have known Wayne for 12 years and we hunted together and went to Alaska together on a fishing trip. He was a very special and good friend. Wayne had many stories and many friends and he will be greatly missed! Wayne will always be in my heart and my families. He was a special person.

Paula Shirey

December 24, 2013

I knew Wayne before I worked at SPD as he was a neighbor/friend to my aunt and uncle just a couple of streets over (before he retired and moved to Creswell). He was a big teddy bear of a man who you didn't want to make growl. He was definitely one of the best!! My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Jay Sato

December 23, 2013

When I think of Wayne, I think of a man who was clearly willing to drop everything to lend a hand. He was always pleasant and patient and shared his expertise when he could.

Wayne will be missed for sure.

Ron Williams

December 22, 2013

I remember the days when Wayne and I were both in uniform. I knew I could count on him and he knew he could count on me. I deeply regret to hear of his passing. My deepest condolences to his family and all his loved ones. He will live forever in our hearts.

Tim Thurber

December 22, 2013

I was an explorer scout at Springfield Police Department under Wayne's command from 1978 to 1980 before entering the US Coast Guard. Wayne was a mentor, and beloved friend who was always there to help me and make sure I stayed the course. Explorer Scouts earned respect from the patrol division because Wayne enabled us to complete tasks that Explorers hadn't been permitted to do prior to his leadership. Wayne was a jack of all trades and master of many. Wayne was an outstanding police officer, and always took me with him regardless of what shift he was working. Wayne's wife Aiko is a wonderful woman who always cared for us when we would come over to visit. In my eyes, if there was a man who could move a mountain, it was Wayne Kerns. Wayne was an old school cop, who backed down from no one and to my knowledge never lost a fight. Although I only spoke with Wayne a couple of times a year in recent years, I thought of him frequently. Now entering my 25th year of police work, I have said to myself many times, “What would Wayne do?”. There are many good cops in this state, but in my opinion Wayne Kerns was a cut above. My heart is heavy with Wayne's loss as he was such a great person and had such a positive influence on my when I was growing up. I guess all I can say at this point is, “Thank you so much, for all you have done for me”. Rest easy Wayne; I will continue to fight the good fight in your honor with all you have taught me.

Sgt. A Carlson-Retired

December 22, 2013

My condolences to Aiko, Nieces & Family, and all Wayne's friends.
As my friend Wayne helped me move to the country,brought me a tractor to landscape the place, fixed my truck, built my trailer, scrounged up some timbers to rebuild my bridge in 1996, and many other things over the years.
As a colleague he was the back-up you always wanted, there when I needed help during a fight in a ditch or when
he rearranged a few faces during a riot at the Greenwood Lounge. Boom, boom, boom there he was in the shoot-out
at the Lindale apartments, you could always count on him. A mentor to many young men in the SPD Explorer Scout program, including my son who was still his fishing buddy.
A Giant of a man with a soft soul who will be missed by all
of us and never forgotten - Rest peacefully my Friend.

Erika Fong

December 21, 2013

Wayne helped my parents adjust to their new lives when they uprooted from the big city. He was one of the most generous, kind hearted, selfless individuals, and will be missed. Thank you for all that you've done.

December 21, 2013

Lowell and I met Wayne at New Hope Baptist Church. Lowell and Wayne were in the same Bible Study class and Lowell enjoyed getting to know what a great man he was. When I worked in the kitchen at church Wayne was always bringing in free food that he had gotten donated from local stores. He was such a giving and caring person. We will all miss him.

phyllis hartwig

December 21, 2013

we Kelso kids grew up with the Kearns. We knew Wayne very well,and loved him, his parents and sisters..God bless you. Phyllis Kelso Hartwig

Susie Wight

December 20, 2013

Wayne, you will be missed so many. After working with Wayne for many years at SPD, I saw the man behind the badge. He's one of the very few people I know who would offer you the shirt off his back and ask if you needed another without even a thought of expecting anything in return. Wayne was a loyal friend who will be missed by many.

Toshio & Nancy Sato

December 20, 2013

We will cherish the memories of your kind heart and forever grateful for all that you've done for us.
You left us much too soon!

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