Byron F. Kern

Byron Frederic Kern, age 87, a 54-year resident of Richardson, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, August 17, 2021. Byron was born to Rev. Friedrich Wilhelm “Fred” Kern and Rose Julia Eidam on April 15, 1934, in Houston, Texas. Byron was raised in a Lutheran household, was baptized on May 20, 1934, and later confirmed May 16, 1948.

He met his wife Dinah Polly Hansen at the Lutheran Student Association at UT Austin in 1954. They married on September 6, 1958.

Byron received his BBA from UT Austin in 1956 and was a CPA for many years in the Dallas area. Byron served his country in the Air Force Reserve and was also a past treasurer of Richardson Rotary Club.

Byron was a faithful Christian and was active in multiple Lutheran churches. Acts 20:24 summarizes Byron’s life, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”

Byron loved playing tennis. He was an avid University of Texas Football fan. He listened almost daily to WRR classical music radio. He donated to Friends of WRR often. Once during the annual Texas OU football game the WRR announcer reported the current score at the “TU-OU” game. Byron called to remind him it’s “UT,” not “TU.”

He enjoyed long road trips to the western U.S. with Dinah.

He loved America, and shared his thoughts with legislators and with The Dallas Morning News Editorial page.

He loved his grandchildren, and spent exceptional amounts of time recreating with them, and helping and encouraging them throughout their lives.

Byron is preceded in death by his wife Dinah, and by his parents Fred and Rose. He is survived by sons Nathan and his wife Kelly, Jonathan and his wife Carol; by his grandsons David and his wife Kristen, Daniel and Michael (Nathan); grandsons Bryan and Brandon (Jonathan); and by great-granddaughter Elowyn (David). He is also survived by his brother Gerard and his sister Judy, as well as by many more relatives and friends.

Byron will have a visitation on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Ted Dickey Funeral Home, 2128 18th St, Plano, TX. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at 10am at Faith Lutheran Church, 1701 E Park Blvd, Plano, TX 75074. A Committal service will occur Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at 2:30pm at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Hwy 6, Clifton, TX 76634 (31.7734, -97.57201).