Stephen James Kern's Obituary
STEPHEN JAMES KERN, 71, of Odessa, Florida, passed peacefully on January 31, 2023 with his son and daughter by his side.
Stephen was born on November 25th 1951, in Pittsburg Pennsylvania. After graduating from Avonworth High School in 1969, he enlisted in the US Navy summer of 1969 becoming a Petty Officer 3rd Class with focus in Aviation Electronics.
He married in September,1977 and relocated to Odessa, FL where he built his dream home and raised his two children with then wife Marianne Mahler Kern.
Stephen graduated Magna Cum Laude from International Academy of Design in June, 2000 in Tampa, FL. He competed in the National Veterans Wheelchair games, participated in wheelchair rugby for the Tampa Generals, and was able to experience many adaptive sports and adventures including scuba diving, skydiving and white-water rafting.
Stephen was preceded in death his father, James Calvin Kern and his sister Sharon Kern. He is survived by his son, Chad Kern (Kyleen Rittweger-Kern), and his daughter, Christina Kern, his mother Collette "Jo" Kern, his sister Susan Kern (Bob Merker), and his grandchildren, Jaycob Paraska, and McKenzie Rittweger-Kern. Nephews, Michael Ross and Philip Ross. And Nieces, Kelli Ross Rees, Kerri Ross, Jennifer Bauman and Lynn Bauman, with extended family.
The family of Stephen would like to thank Suncoast Hospice Center for all the Care that was given to their father.
In lieu of flowers, Stephen's children would appreciate a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Shriners Children's Hospital, or Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital.
An intimate family memorial will be held in his honor at Trinity Memorial Gardens.
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