Sam H. Kernell's Obituary
Sam was born March 26, 1921, to Samuel and Etta O’Hearn Kernell at home, just two blocks from the corner of Cooper and Young in Memphis, Tennessee. When Sam was four years old, he lost his dad. He was raised by a wonderful mother and two wonderful sisters, Nell and Sarah. He retired from Firestone Tire and Rubber Company after 42 years of service. He also served in World War II and in theKorean War, as a pilot with the rank of captain. He won three medals: the Korean War Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Air Medal. He survived six half brothers and sisters and seven nieces and nephews. In 1942 he married Ima Irene (Imogene) Park of Trimble, Tennessee, a union that lasted forty-six years and produced two sons: Samuel Kernell (Dianne) of Solana Beach, California, and Michael Kernell (Nancy) of Memphis. In 1988 Ima Irene (Imogene) died, and the following year he married Hazel Wright who survives him. He left three grandchildren and one great grandchild.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, “Celebrating Life Behind the Stone Wall”. Obituary and service information will be posted as soon as it becomes available.
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