March 9, 1963 ~ April 21, 2012
Martin Anthony Kern, better known as Marty, was born on a sunny Spring morning March 9, 1963, in Yuba City, California. He was the 4th of 5 children born to Frank Anthony and Mary Ellen (Holomek) Kern. Grandpa and Grandma Kern, as well as a brother and two sisters, were there to greet him. Marty met his untimely death in an oilfield accident near Alva, Oklahoma on April 21, 2012.
He grew up in Caldwell and graduated from Caldwell High School in 1981. He participated in basketball where he and his younger brother Daniel are known for being one of the few A team starting brothers for 3 years in a row. He also was active in football and track.
As a child he enjoyed being out on the family farm with his dad, and fishing with his aunts and uncles. He was very mechanically inclined and liked tinkering with anything motorized.
After high school he began working in the oilfield and continued oilfield and construction/carpentry work throughout his life. He greatly enjoyed working high in the sky on the oilrig. He loved being outdoors and told his family he really enjoyed the heavenly views of sunrises and sunsets that the rig work provided. His life travels took him throughout many states, such as: California, Kansas, Texas, Colorado, and back to Oklahoma.
He was the “go-to” man for his family. If they needed anything done he was always only a phone call away. He enjoyed fishing trips with his brothers-in-law, teasing his nieces and nephews, and his favorites were the family feasts! Marty grew up in the Catholic faith which helped guide him through a lot of struggles in life. Being one of five children provided lots of fun and adventures throughout life and created lots of memories for his brothers and sisters to cherish. Marty was a very special son, brother, father, uncle, grandpa and friend who will be missed by everyone whose lives he touched.
Marty was preceded in death by his father, Frank, and his infant daughter, Julia.
He is survived by his beloved mother, Mary Kern; brothers Carl Kern, Daniel (Jennifer) Kern; sisters Dedrah (Roger) Stoddard, Belinda (Jim) Williams; his pride and joy, son Bryson (Mandy) Kern; and the sunshines of his life, grandchildren Jimani Wayne, Landon Michael, Griffen J., and Alazandra Rose; numerous nieces and nephews; and of course, his “million dollar dog”, Izhe, who Marty rescued from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Enid.
Rosary service will be held 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Caldwell.
Services will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at the St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Caldwell, Kansas.
Memorials may be given in Marty's name to the Enid SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) 1116 Overland Trail, Enid, Oklahoma 73703.
Leave Condolences
Condolences
Harriet (Bruey) Fillmore
Family and Friends - 04/22/2012
I am very sorry for your loss. You will all be in my prayers and thoughts.
-
O.V. and Lola Williams
Family and Friends - 04/22/2012
Mary,
Lola and I are so sorry about your son. Our prayers are for you .
-
Deborah Green-Barnes
Family and Friends - 04/22/2012
Mary,
If there is anything that we can do, just send someone across the street. Know that our prayers and concern are with you.
Cookie,
I am here for you now and in the future. You are such a part of this family, that your loss is truly felt by us all. Prayers and Love!!!
-
Kevin Brown
Family and Friends - 04/22/2012
I am truly saddened to hear about Marty's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with the family! Many good times were had many years ago and as with any classmate from 1981, losing anyone will always be a sad occasian.
Kevin. (1981)
-
Ken Newkirk
Family and Friends - 04/22/2012
My prayers are with you and your great family.
Ken
-
Dru Ingle Kerr
Family and Friends - 04/22/2012
I am so sorry for your loss, Marty was a great guy. He always had that grin that made you wonder what he was up to. He will be missed by many.
-
Norman and JoAn Metcalf
Family and Friends - 04/23/2012
Our hearts go out to you, Mary and your family. Our love and prayers are with you.
-
Raymond and Judy May
Family and Friends - 04/23/2012
Mary were are so sorry to hear of your loss. May the lord be with you.
-
Rebecca
Family and Friends - 04/23/2012
My name is Rebecca and I live in the Wichita area. I recently read of your loss and wanted to extend my condolences to your family. No doubt this is a very difficult time for you all. I wanted to share something that has given me comfort when facing such times.
The Bible offers us a hope for the future in this regard. Not only are we promised a time when death will be gone forever (Revelation 21:3,4) but the Bible also tells us about a time when there will be a resurrection and we can be reunited with our loved ones who have died. (John 5:28, 29)
-
Lorie (Ferguson) Applegate
Family and Friends - 04/23/2012
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time.
-
Teresa Chambers
Family and Friends - 04/23/2012
Mary,
I am so sorry for your loss. May you find the peace that passess all understanding in this difficult time. If you need anything at all please feel free to call me. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family...
-
Albert Jelinek
Family and Friends - 04/24/2012
Very sorry to hear of Marty Kern passing condolences to marty family & freinds ,he will be greatly missed.
-
Burl and Marjy Hudson Shinkle
Family and Friends - 04/24/2012
Mary, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family this week. May God give you comfort.
-
Dale Nuse and Joey Whiteley
Family and Friends - 04/24/2012
Mary, our prayers are with you and your family. If there is ANYTHING you need, please call. Marty will be missed.
-
Steve Adams
Family and Friends - 04/24/2012
Sorry to hear of Marty's passing. I'll always remember the good times had in HS sports and even more so the scout trip to Creede when we were younger. Thoughts and prayers for the Kern family in this time of sorrow. Let the great memories of Marty help to ease the pain of this loss.
-
Ginger and Kevin LeCounte
Family and Friends - 04/25/2012
Mary and family, so sorry to hear of Marty's passing. He will be missed. I remember from school he was always so ready with that wonderful smile of his! May God be with you and comfort you. Marty will always have a very special place in our hearts and I am sure he is up above us now looking down with that quirky smile of his!
-
Teresa Mercer
Family and Friends - 04/25/2012
I pray for your comfort and healing as Marty enters Heavens gate to make his new home. He was always a friendly person to us under-classmen and used his strengths to make others achieve. I use to think that Marty and Daniel were twins as they were so much alike is looks, laughter and abilities. God Bless the entire family through this difficult time.
-
Judy knight and Delana
Family and Friends - 04/28/2012
We are so saddened by your loss. May God bless your family and give you peace in this time of sorrow.
