Michael Lee Bernard

If life was a business deal, Michael Bernard would have closed the best deal possible. He encompassed the rarest mix of unwavering strength, intelligence, and drive coupled with intense love and absolute, unconditional commitment to family. He had only three interests in this world – to work, to travel and to have his family work and travel with him. If he were with us still, this is where he would say, "gimme the short version." However, the short version just doesn't suit a man of his undeniable goodness and greatness. Sorry, Dad, this might take a minute or two to read.
Born in May of 1951 in Louisville, Kentucky, Mike came into this world automatically connected to the Kentucky Derby season, one of his favorite times of year when he hosted memorable events for his friends and employees for more than 30 years in a row. His mother and father were Byron and Elizabeth Bernard, and he was one of six brothers and sisters. Together they moved from place to place, but settled in Elizabethtown, Kentucky where Mike went to Elizabethtown High School and graduated in 1969. This milestone is made more remarkable by the fact that Mike met the love (and beauty) of his life when he was 13 years old and they became high school sweethearts, ultimately marrying an angel on Earth – Pamela Bernard – in December 1970. The two of them moved to Lexington, Kentucky and Mike attended the University of Kentucky, graduating with a degree in Forestry. The hilarity of this degree considering what he chose to do with this life is not lost on anyone in his family! Eventually, Mike and Pam moved to Louisville where they set their roots – starting a family and building a business empire or perhaps it was starting a business and building a family empire. It's really difficult to know the difference now.
Mike and Pam. Mike and Pam. Mike and Pam. For our family, these words are synonymous with each other – one follows the other. There are many significant accomplishments and unbelievable stories and successes, but his greatest accomplishment was choosing Pam as his forever girl. The love and adventures they have shared in the past five decades are too many to say, but for those who knew them, it is obvious to say that they were a couple to be admired. When you talk about forever, and when you talk about wedding vows, you are talking about Mike and Pam. We would have said that one could not live without the other, but his wife has many beautiful reasons to let that sentiment go. Together, they created quite a familial story having four biological children and adopting and raising five more. This ended in one result – a loud, huge legacy that has further blessed them with 9 grandchildren and a whole lot of school performances to attend.
While his wife and family are his most significant achievements, his business feats are not to be ignored. Mike began working for Adam's Shoes when he was 21 years old. Mr. Adams had five stores and a shoe salesman with incomparable ambition who bought him out 3 short years later. From this point, Mike really went to work learning every angle of every department to the most minute detail in order to begin hiring his first employees, training them to be the absolute best leaders they could be and moved onto the next step. It wasn't very long before he turned five shoe stores into over one hundred. He employed thousands and personally impacted almost every one of them through his strong leadership, his genius knowledge of business, and his inspirational speeches and motivation to not just work but work hard and keep on working.
His successes in the shoe business led him to be awarded as an Entrepreneur of the Year and he was inducted into the National Shoe Retailers Association Hall of Fame. He held an annual event called Shoe-A-Kid where he offered free shoes every year to underprivileged children and the entire family
worked together to "shoe" as many kids as possible. After 33 years of slinging shoes and telling even his lawyers how to write their own letters, he sold his company, Acton Enterprises d/b/a Shoe Sensation, and had a "retirement party."
Approximately one week after his party, he spring boarded himself into a plethora of other future projects. During the last 14 years, he owned and operated a marina, six car dealerships, a houseboat manufacturing business, dozens of commercial and residential properties, became his own stockbroker, and assisted in the funding, advice, creation and support of many other entities for his family and friends. He just never stopped. He didn't even know how to. One of his many life mottos was simply this – The best way to solve a problem is to solve the problem. He had problems and obstacles every day, yet he never faltered and always sought resolve. He lived for the work in order to allow his family to truly live – and lived we all have.
Mike is survived by his wife, Pamela; his son Dennis Humphrey; his daughter Robyn Schulz and her husband Steven; his son Casey Bernard and KeNiesha Watkins; his son Malesha Dames and Katie Bell; his daughter Ryan Bernard and her husband Drew Vertrees; his daughter Kristen Bernard-Hedgespeth and her husband Adam Hedgespeth; his son Alex Bernard and Tiffany Hardin; his daughter Micah Bernard and her husband Allen Penick; his daughter Anna Bernard and Rebekah Burgan. Known as "Poppy," he also leaves behind nine heartbroken grandchildren – Madox Bernard, Jude Dames, Oliver Hedgespeth, Elliot Hedgespeth, Jaclyn Schulz, Ava Schulz, Lola Moon Bernard, Ellie Keeney and Mila Zell. Additionally, he is survived by his siblings Stephen Bernard, Delores Gabbert, and Linda Moore; many very special in-laws, and wonderful friends that made his life all the better.
A visitation is scheduled from 1pm – 5pm on February 20th, 2022 at Ratterman Brothers Funeral Home at 3711 Lexington Road. Another visitation will be held the next morning from 10am-12pm immediately followed by services, both of which will be held at Greater Bethel Temple at 834 S 3rd Street. Burial will follow at Cave Hill Cemetery and a celebration of a wonderful life lived will be held in downtown Louisville. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Home of the Innocents to help families and children.