James Richard Kerns, 63, of Madisonville, KY, passed away on Wednesday, October 4, 2022, at Linda E. White Hospice House Deaconess in Evansville, IN.

He was born on September 1, 1959, in Oakland, CA, to the late Joyce Chance Kerns and Perry Melvin Kerns. James was a proud retired United States Army Veteran serving in Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Endurance. He was formerly employed by Swift as a truck driver and was the groundskeeper at the Eddie Ballard West Kentucky Veterans Center. He loved dancing at the Electric Cowboy. James was of the Christian faith.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Vicky Hicks Kerns.

Survivors include his daughters, Mary Kerns of Madisonville, Ashley (Donnie) Barnett of Dawson Springs, KY, Jaime (Richie) Tucker of Washington, IN, and Joanna Kerns of Fort Smith, AR; sisters, Janet Willis of Myrtle Beach, SC, Wanda ((Don) Johnson of Seaford, DE, Denise (Bryce) Parks of Easton, MD, and Sheri Kerns of Fort Smith, AR; brother, Michael Kerns of Easton, MD; grandchildren, Javan Todd, Dustin Barnett, Brayden Wolf, Rebekah Reasor, Savannah "SJ" Barnett, Lauren McKnight, Donna Lewis, Timothy Nielsen, Gabbrielle Tucker, and Richard Earl "Trey" Tucker III; great-grandson, Liam Carlisle Wilkerson; niece and special caretaker, Kailey Ruckert of Madisonville; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Monday, October 10, 2022, at Serenity Path at Madisonville City Park in Madisonville, KY, with Chaplain Pat Dew officiating. Military honors will be performed by the Hopkins County Honor Guard. Harris Funeral Home was entrusted with care.

Visitation will be from 3 p.m. until the service hour at Serenity Path on Monday at the city park.