Joseph Earl Kern, was born in Parsons, Kansas, September 29, 1948, better known as "Joe," 67, passed away at his home in Bel Aire, Kansas, Sunday, March 20, 2016. He was the son of Emil "Jack" Loren Kern and Velda Marguerite Minton. Joe's Dad worked for the Missouri Pacific Truck Lines and that job took their family to small Western Kansas towns where Joe lived during his growing years. Moving from Parsons to Utica, then from there to Healy, Joe grew enjoying the life that only small towns offer. He began High School in Hoisington, Kansas and was a 1966 graduate of Wichita Heights High School. It was at Wichita Heights that he met TaMyra "Tammy" Bowhay. They married in 1966 in Wichita and Joe began working for Koch Engineering. Joe and Tammy had one son, Troy Michael Kern. They later divorced, but remained good friends. With the exception of a few brief jobs elsewhere, Joe continued his career at Koch Engineering, which was Koch-Glitsch when he retired in September of 2013 with 39 years of service. His last job title was that of a Planner Scheduler for the Manufacturing Division. Throughout the years, Joe participated with his friends on bowling teams, softball teams, enjoyed pheasant hunting and played golf. He loved watching basketball and football; especially the Kansas Jayhawkers and WSU. You hardly saw Joe without a ball cap on his head and he often wore those of his favorite teams. Even with the excitement of sports, Joe enjoyed the "simple" life and didn't take to "change" easily. He enjoyed being at his home, which he shared with his brother, Jim. He actually enjoyed cooking and watched over his pet cat for years. Survivors include his son, Troy Michael Kern and grandson, Joshua Roman Kern of Arizona; two brothers, Jack William Kern of Wichita and James Loren Kern of Bel Aire; two sisters, Donna Sue Stafford of Derby, and Tina Marie Wallace of North Platte, NE; and a host of relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, Jere Dean Kern, and sister, Barbara Kay Nance. Graveside services will be held Thursday, March 31, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at the Kechi Cemetery located at 6523 North Hillside, Park City, KS. Baker Funeral Home Valley Center. Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com