Obituary of Clyde Lavern Kernen, Jr.

Clyde Lavern Kernen, Jr., 73, of Bedford, passed away on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital.  He was born on Wednesday, March 1, 1950 to the late Clyde Lavern Kernen, Sr. & Betty Jeanette Miller Kernen.  Clyde was also preceded in death by his grandparents, Momo & Pap Pap; sisters, Sandy Murphy & Tammy Allenberg; great-grandson, Weston Smith.

Clyde was an excellent chef and a business consultant.  He was competitive in sports, loved playing horseshoes & cards.  Clyde loved music & karaoke and he enjoyed telling jokes and laughing. He never met a stranger.  Clyde loved his family especially his wife & grandkids & his family loved him.  He was also a great car salesman. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Gwendolyn Joyce Craig Kernen; children, Tracy Smith (Gerald), Jeff Kernen (Tracy), Casey Clark, Melissa Clark, Jeremy Baldwin, Crystal Kernen (Mike) & Joseph Kernen (Danielle); grandchildren, Jerry Smith (Barbara), Katie Friess, Michelle McNulty (Earl), Ryan Smith (Corrie), Christian Smith (Madison), Holly Smith (Chris), Allie DeFord, Cody Kernen, Jacob Kernen (Kelly), Brooke Friess, Michael Deaner, Jr. (Destiny), T.J. Friess (Lindsey), Brianna Deaner (Paul), Brittany Kernen (Kent) & Natalie Kernen; Twenty-One great-grandchildren; sisters, Paula Leal & Robin Garrison; brothers-in-law, Michael Craig (Virginia), Robert Earl Craig, Jack Allenberg & Tom Murphy; mother-in-law, Gwendolyn Craig; numerous nieces & nephews.

A Funeral Service will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, January 8, 2024 at Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford with Rev. Ray Lyons officiating.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.