Donald Kern

Donald Ray Kern, born May 26, 1942, in Cedar Edge, Colorado; died May 31, 2024, at Lindale Specialty

Care Center with Brenda by his side.

His parents were Ruby and Ralph Kern from Sulphur Springs; wife-Brenda Kern of Lake Holbrook in

Mineola, Texas. Married 61 years; son: Robert Kern of Corinth, Texas. No grandchildren, but special

great-nephew, Garrett Metzger; sister: Linda Jefferies of Midlothian, Tx; 1 niece, Denise Metzger of

Corinth, Tx; 3 nephews: Randy Woody of Abilene, Tx., Kevin Jones of Midlothian, Tx. and Kaylon Jones of

Gatesville, Tx. and sister-in-law, Beverly Woody of Mineola, Tx.

Don was a member of Broadstreet Church of Christ for 20 years. For 8 years, Don helped Brenda and the

Beards with funeral lunches for the church. For the past 4 years, due to many health issues, had not

attended church. He suffered for the past 11 years with brown Secord syndrome which hurt to move his

legs but loved his church friends and preacher.

Don graduated from Sunset High School in 1960 and joined the Dallas Fire Department at age 18. He was

an Engine Driver most of his 40 years there. He loved his co-workers and fire department-especially Ron

Wilson, who was his friend for 54 years and was his neighbor for 20 years after moving to Lake Holbrook

to be near him.

Drafted in 1967 during Vietnam, Don decided to go to Officer Candidate School and resided n Officer’s

Quarters for 2 years at Fort Polk, La. Robert was born in the base hospital 3 months prior to Don being

discharged. He went back to the Fire Department in Dallas and attended college 3 years full-time on

days off and remained on the Dean’s Honor Roll and subbed for other firemen so they could go to

college.

When he was 37, he built a house with 3 full bathrooms and a sunroom with no experience. The owner

of the commercial construction company Brenda worked for, saw what a good builder Don was, and he

insisted Don be superintendent over a building for him on his days off. He did plumbing 2-3 years full-

time on his days off with a fireman friend who owned the company. He also worked days off for an air-

conditioning company when younger.

He restored a 280Z for his son that looked like a professional had worked on it. He had a 1949 MG Kit

Car for years he enjoyed. Don loved scuba diving when young and later scuba dived for the Fire

Department. He also worked in High Angle Rescue in the Fire Department.

When he was young, his mother said over and over that he would take apart equipment and have it

strown everywhere. It surprised her and his dad that he could put all the little pieces back together. He

loved to see how everything worked. He had a witty personality.

Don loved to water ski and fish when he was younger but liked to lay on his hammock on the dock at

Lake Holbrook. Loved to play 42 with church friends and brother and sister-in-law. He enjoyed trailer

trips. The Colorado 1-month trip was special with Linda and Bill Welsh.

When Jack Hensley's wife died, Don started the ROMEOS (retired old men eating out) to help Jack.