John Kern

John “Jack” Kern passed away on May 6, 2017. He was preceded by the death of his wife, Deb Kern, who passed away April 9, 2016.

Jack was born Sept. 24, 1942 to parents Dick and Jane Kern. One of five siblings, Jack lived in Des Plaines, Ill. where he met Deb, the love of his life. They raised their family in Downs, Ill. in the house he built himself.

To many, he was known as the NAPA guy, having spent much of his life operating NAPA stores. Jack was self-made and self-reliant, perfecting his skill with every kind of tool that could fashion wood or metal, brick or cement.

In 2013 he and Deb moved to Rio Verde to enjoy retirement, golfing and enjoying the Southwest as they had done for so many years before.

He is survived by brothers, Jim and his wife, Mary of Bartlett, Ill., David and his wife, Audrey of Prescott, Wis., Don of Ellsworth, Wis.; and sister, Susie of Wheeling, Ill. His son, Justin lives in Mesa, and daughter, Jackie and her husband, Jonathan, live in Boulder, Colo. with his granddaughters, Bena and Lily, whom he adored. The world has never seen a better “papa.”

Quick to invite friends to watch a sunset from his front patio, talk golf or to watch a Cubs game, Jack had an immense heart, felt by anyone who knew him. Jack loved a good joke, including every imaginable kind, and the number of people who called him friend was extraordinary.

Jack touched the lives of so many people and even though he is gone, his memory will live on in our hearts forever. The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers and support in many heartfelt forms from too many people to name individually.

You’re asked to raise a Manhattan in his honor, and in lieu of flowers, tune-up your car, check the air pressure in your tires, and complete a house project – he would have wanted that.