Joe Vaughn Kern
1925-2020
Joe Vaughn Kern, 94, of Bentonville, Arkansas passed away on Sunday, November 29, 2020. He was born on December 26, 1925 in Hannibal, Missouri to Paul and Martha Jeannette Kern and grew up in Carlsbad, New Mexico. His father, a mining engineer died in 1936, and his mother, a junior high teacher died in 1990.
Joe enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943 and after two and a half years of the USMC service; attended Missouri School of Mines. Later, he graduated from Texas School of Mines in El Paso, Texas; now UTEP. He married his college sweetheart Gerry Slutes. They were married for 69 years!
Joe taught at the Alta Vista Junior High School in Carlsbad, New Mexico and later joined the U.S. Potash Company. He later transferred to Boron, CA, was the Personnel Manager at U. S. Borax. After that he transferred to Los Angeles, CA and was the Director of Public Relations at U.S. Borax. He retired after 39 years of service.
Joe was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church from 1936-2020. He served as a Deacon, Elder, Stephen’s Minister, and Food Pantry Operations. His church family in Carlsbad NM, Newhall, CA and Bentonville, AR meant the world to him.
He was an active member of Rotary Club in Newhall, CA, lifelong member of the Carlsbad Elks Club and past president of the Bentonville Lions Club.
His family will remember Joe by his vacation trips with the family to Hawaii, dancing with his beloved wife and his zeal for life.
Survivors include: Three daughters: RuthAnne Bush and her husband Gary; Nancy Jane Fruitman and her husband Morris; Donna Jo Exner and her husband Ernie.
Grandchildren: Sarah Gavia, Timothy Bush, Megan Jo Exner, great grandchildren: Natalie Bush and Lacey Bush
On a personal note from Daddy’s daughters: There will not be a memorial for Daddy. How he yearned for a service full of singing and a church full of family and friends! But alas, this is a different time. So, we say goodbye to Daddy in our hearts and rejoice that we will be united again in heaven. We wish to thank his church home for their love and support. We have been blessed by 2 pastors and a man with a servant’s heart who has helped us daily through this time. Daddy’s neighbors are the best — they have dropped off meals, had him over for dinner, watched his home, visited with Daddy, prayed for daddy, picked him off the ground and his bedside. Thanks to US Borax family and friends for their research and outstretched hands of love and to the Carlsbad New Mexico reunion class. One very beautiful and talented woman has been a breath of fresh air! Meals on Wheels — Daddy’s delivery man became a brother to him. Their friendship was a blessing beyond words. We thank the employees at Walmart Neighborhood Market close to Sam’s club who gently told him he needed more groceries than what was in his cart, who picked him up off the floor when he fell, and always looked after him.
Daddy (Dad, Joe, granddaddy, grandad, friend) touched all our hearts - may we each day do the same for others. This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad!
We wish to thank the staff at Stockdale-Moody, especially a special young lady! Memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Food Pantry in Bentonville, Arkansas.
To place an online tribute, please visit www.stockdalemoody.com.