It is with great sadness and love that the family of Jim Kerns announces his passing on Wednesday August 8, 2018 at the age of 85 after battling cancer. Jim will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 19 years, Carol Kerns and her daughter Jo Marie (and husband Chance) Byrd. He will join in heaven his wife of 44 years, Norma Kerns, and daughter Cindy Kerns, and will be sorely missed by their children Kurt Kerns, Kelly (and his wife Amy) Kerns and Janeen Morgan. He will forever be remembered by his loving grandchildren, Ryan Records, Miles and Gage Morgan, Zeke, Trevor and Caroline Kerns.

A native of Wichita, Jim attended North High School where he was a football and wrestling standout and met his first wife Norma as she performed the lead role in a school musical play. He played football and wrestled at McPherson College for one year before entering Wichita State University. His college career was interrupted by the draft and he served in the Army during the Korean War. He returned to complete his teaching degree at Wichita State and upon graduation initially taught industrial arts and auto mechanics while coaching football and wrestling at both Opie and Towanda High Schools. He then turned to leading fundraising sales for schools throughout Kansas and northern Oklahoma with Quality School Plan and Reader's Digest. He loved interacting with kids and helping them achieve their goals to support their activities. He moved his family to Mulvane, Kansas from 1971-1987 and was president of the Mulvane High School's Booster Club and was active in the Lions Club for many of those years. He and Norma returned to Wichita where he lived the balance of his years. He retired from a long and successful career to take care of Norma when she was diagnosed with ALS in 1995.

Jim and Carol were married in May 1999 and have truly enjoyed their time together traveling and being with friends and family. Jim remained very active in retirement, completing many projects in his well-stocked woodshop and garage renowned for their organization, and assisting Carol with her estate sales business. Jim's faith was very important to him and he was always an active member in the churches he attended throughout his life. He was the leader and rock of the family. Jim also liked to have fun and "visit" with his many friends. With his birthday falling on St. Patrick's Day, he particularly enjoyed spending it with family and friends and the multitude of others who turned out to celebrate "his day".

A funeral service will be held Monday, August 13 at 2:00 pm at Cornerstone Christian Church at 5531 E. 37 ^th St. N, Wichita, KS 67220 where Jim was a longtime active member. Memorial donations in Jim's honor may be made to Cornerstone Christian Church at the above address marked to Pastor Jim's attention.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com