Charles Edward Kern July 12, 1920 - July 25, 2017

Charles Edward Kern, age 97, died of natural causes on July 25, in Portland, in the company of his loving family.

Charles is survived by his wife, Jean L. (Fitzpatrick) Kern, of Camp Sherman and Bethany; two sons, Larry Kern, Timothy "Oly" Kern; daughter, Sweet Medicine Nation; grandchildren Daniel Prince and Madeline Snively, Darin and Darcy Kern; and seven great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents and four siblings, Elmer, Orla Chester, and Bill Kern, all of Central Valley, California.

Charles E. Kern was born on July 12, 1920 in Coyle, Oklahoma, to parents William Ervin and Ethel Maude (Boyer) Kern.

Charles served two years in the U.S. Army Air Corps 1944-1946, stationed on Guam.

After marrying Jean in Chico, California, in 1947, Charles began to work for Safeway stores as an apprentice meat-cutter in Chico, 1946. He was promoted to meat department manager, Gridley, California on April 19,1948, the day he had to call in no-show, due to the birth of his daughter.

He worked in Pittsburg, Stockton, and Sacramento,California then in Reno, Nevada. In December 1958 he was promoted to district meat merchandiser, assigned to San Francisco, California. In February 1963 he transferred to Honolulu, Hawaii, to open the first store, #201. He worked for more than 38 years for Safeway, 22 years in Hawaii. He helped open eight stores, hired, trained employees and maintained the quality of excellence he would be known for years after he retired.

Charles loved people and helping them. After one career ended, he secured his real estate license in Hawaii.

Charles was a social, active man who was deeply involved in volunteering, fishing, golfing, woodcarving for the majority of his life. He enjoyed golf, fly fishing, and loved to join in activities putting up nesting bird boxes, and bull trout habitat along the Metolius River. His family and friends will remember him as a complimentary, generous, kind, happy and fun-loving friendly man.

The family will hold a private family scattering of ashes.

The family would like to thank you for calls of condolences, cards and flowers and the kindness of our community.

Anyone wishing to donate in honor of Charles can send contributions to Sisters-Camp Sherman RFPD or the Jefferson County Search and Rescue Hasty Team of Camp Sherman.