George J. Kern

George J. Kern Services will be held on Thursday and Friday for George Kern who passed away at Stanford Medical Center on October 20, 2007, following a hard fought battle with cancer. He was 60 years old. George was born in Quincy, California and raised in Santa Clara where he graduated from Santa Clara High School and Santa Clara University. Spanning a career of more than 35 years in computer technology, George was recognized both domestically and internationally for his professional achievements. At the time of his death, he was the Chief Operating Officer with Advent Solar in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His professional leadership and achievements were evident throughout a career with companies that included Monolithic Memories, AMD, Read-Rite, I-Cube, and Hitachi Global. Although fishing and golf could be listed as George's favorite pastimes, spending time with his wife, sons, and grandchildren was by far his greatest love. His profession and passion for travel led George and his family to assignments abroad, including the Philippines, Thailand, and Mexico. His family will forever hold dearly the many fond memories they shared with George: be it traveling abroad, skiing in Tahoe, games of cribbage and backgammon or watching James Bond movies. He is survived by his wife, Jana Kern of Santa Cruz; his three sons, Mitchell (Amy) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Matthew (Rebecca) of New York, N.Y., and Nicholas of Santa Cruz; his mother, Regina Kern of Santa Clara; his brothers Louis Kern of Hillsboro, Oregon, Larry (Liz) Kern of Reno, Nevada: sisters Janet Brant of Los Altos, and Arlene (Ron) Dickson of Saratoga and mother in-law, Patricia Sherwood of Los Altos. George also leaves his three loving grandchildren: Walsh, Luke, and Beatrice, along with many loving nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Louis Kern, who served as Post Commander for American Legion # 419 in Santa Clara. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 26th, at Holy Cross Catholic Church (126 High Street) in Santa Cruz, beginning at 9 a.m. A vigil service and recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at the church on Thursday evening, beginning at 7 p.m. Burial will be at Santa Cruz Memorial Park (1926 Ocean St.). Arrangements are under the direction of Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel in Santa Cruz. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to: John Wayne Cancer Institute Designated for the Research of Dr. Sant P. Chawla M.D., 2200 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90404.