Walter Dennis (Bud) Kern of Nazareth passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2013 in Dimmitt. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday at 11:00AM in the Holy Family Catholic Church in Nazareth with Rev. Ken Keller as celebrant and Deacon Bob Birkenfeld. Burial will follow in Holy Family Cemetery under the direction of Colonial Funeral Home. Vigil service will be held at 7:30PM on Monday at the church. The church will receive the body at 3:00PM on Monday. Walter was born on March 24, 1929 in Nazareth, TX. Walter grew up and was a lifelong resident of Nazareth, Texas. He attended Nazareth schools and graduated from Nazareth High School. He owned and operated Kern Plumbing and Electrical for 63 years. He married Rita Wethington on May 9, 1954. He served in the United States Army and was a Korean War Veteran. While serving in the military he was assigned to the 28th General Hospital in La Rochelle, France where he worked as an electrician and in telecommunications. He was an honorary life member of the Texas Ground Water Association, member of the Knights of Columbus, member of the Third Order of St. Francis, member of the Holy Family Parish Council, member of the Holy Family Finance Committee, member of the American Legion, and a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. Walter was a recent participant in the "America Supports You" Honor Flight Program, which is a program that provides opportunities for citizens to show their support for the U.S. armed forces. He was chosen to place the wreath at the Pacific War Memorial in Washington, D.C., a special honor accorded him because his brother Victor served in the Pacific during WWII. He and his wife Rita loved to travel and spend time with their family. Most importantly, Walter will best be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather to his family and a very well respected man throughout his community. Survivors include his spouse, Rita Kern of Nazareth, 8 sons, Dennis Kern and wife Patti, Jerry Kern and wife Carol, and Jim Kern and wife Elaine all of Nazareth, Tom Kern and wife Jennifer of Grapevine, Michael Kern and wife Candy of Plano, Francis Kern and wife Regina of Marianna, AR, Kenny Kern of McKinney, and Bob Kern and wife Marcia of Perth, Australia, 2 daughters, Dr. Theresa Vo and husband Long Vo of Coppell and Patricia Butler and husband David of San Antonio, 2 sisters, Bonita Golder and Delores Geisler, 28 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Kern and Rose Kern Warren, his step-father, Joe Warren, 1 daughter, Dianna Rose, 3 brothers, Vic Kern, Eugene Kern and Gerald Kern. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Walter Kern Memorial Fund at PO Box 217, Nazareth, TX, 79063 or to your favorite charity. Sign the online guestbook at colonialfuneralhome.org.