TERREBONNE and LAFOURCHE Parishes, La. OBITUARIY for KERN, ROLAND, SR. Submitted by: Louis Lavedan Source: Falgout Funeral Home, La. Died: Thursday, March 17, 2016 ============================================================================= Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.shtml ============================================================================= KERN, ROLAND, SR. DIED: March 17, 2016 ========== A photo is available for this file. Please go to http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafourche/obits/dateobits/2016/f1603.htm and click on the name of interest. ========== Roland A. Kern Sr., a native of Lockport and a resident of Houma, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 17, 2016 at the age of 87. Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 22, 2016 beginning at 8:00 a.m. for the immediate family and from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Falgout Funeral Home in Houma. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with burial to follow at St. Francis de Sales Cemetery #2. He is survived by his sons, Roland Kern Jr. and wife, Debbie and Byron Kern and wife, Brenda; daughters, Deborah Knoblock and husband, Dan, Roanna Naquin and husband, Barry, and Jennifer Gilliam and husband, Wendel; brother, Raymond Kern; grandchildren, Michelle Giroir, Michael, Christopher, Haley, and Elise Kern, Perry and Clark Pellegrin, Todd Knoblock, Jason and Jared Naquin, and Ethan Gilliam; 12 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria Mae LeBlanc Kern; parents, Roland J. Kern and Claudia Griffin Kern; stepfather, Thomas Valence; and brothers, Wilbert and Melvin Kern. Dad was a humble and gentle soul who wanted nothing more out of life than to be with his family. His signature everyday look was a well-worn pair of coveralls and if he gave you his word you could take it to the bank. Born in Lockport in the year 1929 to the late Roland Joseph Kern and the late Claudia Griffin Kern, his father died of tuberculosis in September 1931 leaving his mother with four boys under the age of 8. Times being hard and in an effort to keep the boys together, they spent two years at the MacDonell Children's Home. Founded by Miss Ella K. Hooper, a deaconess of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Dad recalled his days at MacDonell Children's Home as disciplined but fair, and when his mother remarried they were once again united as a family. A U. S. Army veteran he served as a small arms repairman during the Korean Conflict. Returning to civilian life he married and spent the next 53 and ½ years with the "love of his life" Gloria Mae Leblanc. He began his career in the oilfield in 1953 as a roughneck working his way up over the years to consultant. He was a self-taught man who often said that he didn't have a formal education but his honesty, dependability, determination, and strong work ethic made him highly sought after in the consulting field. He was a success by any definition of the word. The Kern family wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many expressions of love, kindness and support shown to them during dad's long journey home. We shall forever be thankful to Mrs. Wanda Hurst for her steadfast loyalty to and compassionate care of Dad over the past two and one half years. To Journey Hospice, especially nurse Amy, and to the management, staff, nurses and CNA's at Heritage Manor Nursing Home for making the remaining days with our father so dignified and consoling. To Dr. Fadi Abou-Issa for never giving up on our father. And lastly, to neighbor Bobby Fanguy for his morning visits and for always looking out for Dad. May God bless you all and keep you in his care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to MacDonell Children Services, 8326 Main Street, Houma, LA, 70363. Falgout Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. U. S. Army ======================