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Michele Kelly uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
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I don’t even know where to start, Jim KERNS...
Jim touched so many lives as evidence of all the people who have showed up in West Virginia, in Apex at the church and here at JD’s. JDs was special to us…It was here that I met the infamous Jim Kerns, don’t get me wrong I stalked him a little on FB in ATB but on June 5, 2020. His good friend Marc invited me out with friends and Jim came over to meet him. He slid into my DMs that night, not sure why as I was ugly crying over a different boy…lol
He then asked me to meet him here at JDs on June 11th, 2020. I walked in the bar by myself to meet him and there he is mingling in the crowd. Jim never met a stranger. He was a person who told me who everyone was and if I met them before…I’m really bad at names and faces apparently…He introduced me to someone who kept asking what my intentions were with “Jim Kerns” even though I told her I just met him and I wasn’t sure, she insisted he wasn’t’ ready…Well he kissed my forehead as he headed to the restroom and something just clicked for both of us. We closed the bar that night and texted each other early into the morning the next day. Jim knew what he wanted, and he was very persistent. It took me awhile to come around but when I did, I became a better person for it. We became exclusive Feb 20, 2021. He stayed at my house for the first time and he never left…Our relationship was easy and refreshing. He enriched my life so much with all the laughter, friendships and adventures we took together.
I am in awe of how Jim was able to connect with people and how he would remember people, not just names but what they did, or who their kids were or what was going on with them. He was always the first one to volunteer to help anyone in need. We went to National Cemetery in DC to place wreaths on all the graves of people who served, and he made sure the gentlemen he knew got one even though they were 5 miles apart…it took us a few days to recover from all the walking…Jim was so proud to be a Marine. He would lay in bed and watch marine graduations and videos on tik Tok endlessly…The Marines instilled Loyalty in him, and he lived by their code. To him everyone was a brother!
He loved his fur babies…Colby and Jack but Romeo, Tubs and Tango stole his heart. When Jim realized I had a cat, he said that thing needs to be outside in a barn…well fast forward a month and that thing “Pretty Kitty...aka. Tubs” was curled up on his belly and fast asleep. He would say...”come here baby girl” and once she was comfortable, he’d ask me to get him water b/c he couldn’t disturb the cat. He adopted Romeo right away and Romo went everywhere with us, Saints, beach, Hoppy Endings, WV. He became our travel companion…Romo was such a good dog, we both decided to get another puppy last Christmas for Acie...well that lasted a day before Jim took over and became a fur daddy to “Tango”. Tango is 10 months old and in a lot of ways has his personality…He is always getting into mischief but he is too dang cute to stay mad. Tango actually grounded us and we no longer went out and socialized any more because we had a puppy to get home too. Our nights became very routine compared to our beginnings, but I would not trade it for anything in the world to lay in bed and watch TV on the biggest screen I could find for Jim. He told me I needed a bigger TV and the next day we picked up a 75inch. I guess you can say I didn’t understand measurements…Jim would say “God, you are lucky you are cute”.
His heart was so big for making people smile, he was thoughtful and kind. He was able to show my daughter that good men do exist and love is not a bad thing. He loved his children, Shaelyn and Aiden, more than anything in this world, he was so very proud of both of them. He supported their sporting events…if you looked in the stands during softball, baseball, basketball, football or cheer you would see Jim with a big smile and coaching from the sidelines. His love of sports especially West Virginia Mountaineers and Pittsburgh Steelers was infectious. When we first started dating he bought me 8 WV tops, I guess he wanted to convert me as a fan. . He was such a good man that he took a special interest in my daughter, Acie. He knew she needed to see and feel what it was like to have a father figure and he definitely stepped up to the job. He came to all of her sporting events (and she was a cheerleader) even if I didn’t want to go. He learned all the rules of the new cheer sport “Stunt” and he would sit in the bleachers and make the calls. He had a Fathead of Acie made and took it to one of the football games and when she turned around to start a cheer, he held it up to show the entire stands...just imagine the face of a teenage girl being embarrassed. He threatened to put her face on a flag and run it up and down the sidelines after every touchdown for her Senior Year. Even though, she was mortified I think deep down she loved his support. We were becoming a family and I think that made Jim happier than any other time in his life.
Jim always included everyone. If we threw an event, he would say…invite everyone. I mean everyone and let them decide. He saw the good in every one he met, he was forgiving and non-judgmental. We hosted many events where his drinking buddy “Frank” would come and bring along “Felicia”. He tried numerous times to get me to like bourbon, but I just couldn’t stand it…Now, I drank more bourbon than I ever did in the years of knowing Jim and I think I’m becoming a bourbon drinker or at least only shots of the good stuff (Buffalo Trace, Eagles Rare and his favorite Henry McKenna 10 year).
I told my family after he passed that to find a man who was able to be in any situation was like finding a needle in a haystack. I could take Jim anywhere. Girls’ night out. Sure, bring Jim, family functions (understanding my family is dysfunctional…lol) sure bring Jim, New people to meet, work events, anything…I couldn’t wait for my friends and family to meet him, he was just that special.
Jim was a ladies’ man, by evidence of all the pictures with beautiful women. He always made sure every woman was safe and made it home alright if they had a little too much, especially me. He lived by “treat women the way I want my daughter to be treated” and it served him well. I was the first girl to take Jim Kerns off the market post-divorce, sorry ladies. There was something about his eyes and his smile that captured my heart forever.
I am blessed to have been able to love him the way he loved everyone and life. The last 3 weeks and 4 days have been very dim for me, but I know Jim would want me to find happiness again. Thus, I put together this Toast to Jim to honor his memory with all the people that he has touched. He may not be here physically, but he is definitely within each of our hearts and for some he will have a bigger presence.
I love you babe...until we meet again!
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Susan Harrington lit a candle
Monday, January 2, 2023
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Jim Jim Jim - such a wonderful man, friend, father. So proud of his service in the Marines, but more than anything his beautiful children, Shaelyn and Aiden.
We will miss you, my friend. Love, comfort and prayers to the family and friends.
Susan and Brooke.
J
Jeremy Sims posted a condolence
Monday, January 2, 2023
Jim was a great guy, always friendly, always said hi. Just a rare gem. He left us way too soon.
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Mike Farrell posted a condolence
Friday, December 30, 2022
Jim
I’m glad country roads took you home to almost Heaven. I enjoyed our time together and you are greatly missed. Till we meet again fellow Mountaineer.
Mike F
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Martha Cochran uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, December 29, 2022
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You were a great big brother. I will cherish our childhood and our times at WVU football games. We will meet again until then be one of our guardian angels looking after us.
Love you always,
Martha
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Arlan Shingleton posted a condolence
Thursday, December 29, 2022
Q: What will you miss most about James "Jim"?
A: Jim and I were members of the local WVU alumni fan group in Raleigh, NC.
We attended WVU games together whenever they were in North Carolina. And we watched a lot of WVU games at the game watching parties.
Jim was always supportive of the Mountaineers and the local scholarships.
He was a great and caring friend. He will be missed.
Arlan Shingleton
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Katie Pacheco posted a condolence
Thursday, December 29, 2022
Jim you were a sweetheart at the events I interacted with you at .
I will keep these memories close . God Speed to your loved ones . What a great guy Heaven received .
Love Katie Pacheco ( Kat )
J
Janet Bowser posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Jimbo we love you like our own. Your smile, your humor and just you being you. Our hearts are broken. We will cherish our times with you until we meet again. We will love you forever. Aunt Suz and Uncle Moe.
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Dylan Kerns posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
I love you man. Thank you for everything you’ve ever done for me, you were the best uncle I could’ve asked for. I’m going to miss you so much.
J
Joe and Patty posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
We are sending our sincere condolences, love, and prayers to all of Jimmy's family and friends. This is so heartbreaking. Jimmy spent a lot of time with us growing up and we have so many great memories, from baseball and basketball to pots and pots of snow ice cream for all! We were always so happy to see him when he was in town visiting and would stop by to see us and so thankful we were able to meet his daughter and son and witness first-hand what a great dad he was and how successful he was in life. God bless all the family and friends of Jimmy and let your wonderful, happy memories of the time you spent with him make you smile and give you peace.
Joe and Patty Lewis
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Michelle Kerns posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Jim, once a Brother in law, became like a brother. You’re laughter and smile will be so deeply missed. Prayers for everyone. Love you.
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The family of James "Jim" Allen Kerns uploaded a photo
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
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Lisa Flanagan posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
A great big brother who was always smiling! I have so many great memories that I will always cherish. You will always be loved and missed!
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