Obituary published on Legacy.com by Lohman Funeral Home Palm Coast on Feb. 18, 2026.
James Anthony Kerns, age 54, passed away on February 16, 2026. He was born on March 1, 1971, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Marilyn and David Kerns. He was the youngest of six children.
Jamie returned to the USA at sixteen months old. He spent his childhood in Falls Church, and then
Vienna, VA, where he graduated from James Madison High School in 1989. Being the last of the six children at home, Jamie moved to
Palm Coast, FL, when his parents retired in 1990. He graduated from Daytona Beach Community College in 1991 and University of Central Florida in 1993.
Soon after graduation, Jamie moved back to Northern Virginia. He started his career in the financial field at Advanced Technologies. He later worked for Raytheon where he spent twenty-two years as a member of the Intelligence and Space Team. Jamie returned to
Palm Coast, Florida, in 2020, where he soon took a medical disability and eased into retired life.
Jamie was known for his quick wit; love of travel; and deep love of family. Especially his nieces and nephews, who he made sure to spoil with whatever present would annoy their parents, his brothers and sisters, the most. Crumbly clay and loud toys without batteries to take out were favorites of his to gift. Jamie was completely smitten when his great nieces and nephews were born.
Jamie cruised through life, literally, visiting over twenty countries, from the depths of the Amazon jungle to the frozen tundra of Alaska, from ancient Greek cities to the sparkling shores of the Mediterranean. An especially loved destination was his birthplace, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He returned first with his parents, then later with his siblings and mother.
Jamie's other love was his dog, Daryl, who he rescued. Daryl was scared of his own shadow but Jamie spent months gaining his trust bit by bit. He turned a frightened little soul to one who now brings comfort to us all after Jamie's passing.
In Jamie's last years, he turned his attention towards his Mother, helping to provide care for her. He loved bringing her fresh flowers almost weekly and organized a 90th birthday for her, with the whole family coming in.
Jamie is survived by his mother, Marilyn Kerns, and five siblings: Cyndi and husband Joel (deceased); David and wife Sandra; Patty and husband Bryan; Steven and wife Liz; Norah and husband Hunter. He was Uncle Jamie to nine nieces and nephews, and five great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, David Allan Kerns, Sr.
A celebration of Jamie's life will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 2pm at Lohman Funeral Home located at 220 Palm Coast Parkway SW,
Palm Coast, Florida 32137.