Edward "Dave" David Kern

September 22, 1939 - June 20, 2025

Edward "Dave" David Kern, 85, of Palmer, Alaska and former long-time resident of Middletown, Missouri, transitioned to eternal life at 10:35 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He succumbed to medical complications following surgery.

He was born on September 22, 1939, in Bridgeton, Missouri, to Edward August Kern and Irma Marie Aubuchon Kern. He was the oldest of four siblings: George (Paul), Leslie (Les) and Nancy. The three brothers were often referred to as "The Three Musketeers". Their family moved to Middletown, Missouri in 1954.

Dave graduated from Wellsville-Middletown R-1 High School in 1957. He went on to continue his education at the University of Missouri, where he graduated with his bachelor degree in Science of Agriculture, in 1961. To put himself through school, he worked as a carpenter and in the cafeteria of Stephens College (a private women's college), which exemplified his perseverance and commitment to his goals. Once classes let out, he followed his dream of going to Alaska, with Dick Wilson and Ray Sturgeon. (Just three guys in their 20's driving cross country and creating lifelong memories.) They took the truck Dave had purchased and fixed up, including the canopy shell they fabricated, before the graduation ceremony even took place.

During the Vietnam era, Dave enlisted in the Army. He served part of his enlistment overseas as a food inspector in Okinawa.

Upon his return to Alaska, Dave lived in Palmer and worked on a dairy farm, before starting his thirty-year career at the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Agriculture. He retired as the Director of Marketing in the mid 1990's.

Dave met his wife, Sharon Jane McCartney Kern, while she was working at Valley Hotel Restaurant, and again while she was working at Matanuska Valley Bank. That's when he knew he had to ask her out. A couple of years later, they wedded at Saint Michael Catholic Church on September 23, 1972. They called Palmer, Alaska their forever home, except for the winters, when they spread their wings to Yuma, Arizona, beginning in the early 2000's. Together, they raised their three sons, David, Kenneth and Jason.

Dave's passion for his community was instrumental in his life. He was an active member of the Elks Club, the American Legion, the Moose Club, the Kiwanis Club of Palmer, the Alaska State Fair (as the director from 2000-2006), the Fire Department (as a volunteer from 1975-2000), amongst his many other interests. He was a hard worker, determined, one who enjoyed children and making people laugh. He loved traveling and seeing all the world has to offer, playing golf, watching sports and making social connections.

Dave is survived by his three sons: David Michael Kern, Kenneth Edmond Kern and Jason Edward Kern, with their families, his sister, Nancy Irene Kern James, and many additional family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Irma Kern; wife, Sharon Kern; brothers, George "Paul" Kern and Leslie "Les" August Kern.

A funeral service will be held at Saint Michael Catholic Church, 432 East Fireweed Avenue, Palmer, Alaska 99645, on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 11:30 a.m.