James Wilson Kerns II

Jimmie, as he was affectionally called, was born on Oct. 17, 1968, in Elkins West Virginia, to the late James Wilson Kerns Sr. and Sharyn Vaughn Kerns.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Debra Kerns West.

Jimmie is survived by his wife, Cathy Kerns of Snow Hill, Maryland. They were married on Nov. 25, 2000, in Elkins, West Virginia.

Also, surviving is a son, Nathaniel Kerns Paugh of Texas; two sisters, Ellen Fortney and husband, Denver, of Mill Creek, West Virginia, and Susan DiPasquale and husband, Mike, of Mill Creek, West Virginia; four stepchildren, Melissa Ford of Ambridge Pennsylvania, Amy Ginnavan and husband, Bryan, of Berlin, Maryland, James Winters III and Chasity Reed of Buckhannon, West Virginia, and Chester Winters of French Creek, West Virginia; 11 stepgrandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Jimmie attended Randolph County Schools. He joined the Army National Guard in1990 and was Honorable discharged in 1999.

He served in Buckhannon and Elkins, West Virginia, and in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He worked at several sawmills in the Elkins/Buckhannon area and worked with his father at Mountain State Dimensions and K&K Molding.

He was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2001 and fought it bravely until his death. He was an avid NASCAR fan, loved working on vehicles, and enjoyed being outdoors when he could, He never met a stranger, and he had many close friends that he considered brothers both in West Virginia and Maryland. He will be sorely missed by both family and friends.

Per his request, he was cremated.

A celebration of life will be at the Elkins American Legion, on Saturday June 27, at 1 p.m.