Roll Call Tribute

Floyd Eugene Kernes 

October 30, 1926 - July 16, 2023 

Floyd Eugene Kernes, 96, of Lepanto, Arkansas departed this life on July 16, 2023 in Marked Tree, Arkansas. Floyd was born on October 30, 1926 to William Daniel and Mabel Pedigo Kernes in Preston, Oklahoma. The family moved to Emory, Texas when he was 4 years old. He graduated from Emory High School in May 1944 and was called into the army.

Floyd attended Texas A & M University. He majored in agriculture education receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in three and half years as a distinguished student in January 1951. Floyd was active in campus organizations such as Alpha Zeta Fraternity, Vice President of Baptist Student Union, Navigators and the ROTC where he received the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He later retired from the Army Reserve as 1st Lieutenant. While in college, Floyd served as a deacon at the First Baptist Church in Bryan, TX. Floyd served as a deacon in Baptist churches from 1946 until becoming deacon emeritus at First Baptist Church in Lubbock, TX.

Floyd taught vocational agriculture for two years, teaching WWII veterans and high school agriculture classes. In 1953, he was employed by Dallas based Tennessee dairies and moved to Rogers/Springdale, Arkansas as a quality control field representative, inspecting and buying milk to be transported to the Dallas Milk Plant from Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Foremost Dairies, the home office was in San Francisco, CA bought Tennessee Dairies and transferred Floyd to the Shreveport, LA Milk and Ice Cream Plant.

In 1954, Floyd was moved back to Texas for 6 months before being sent to Santa Fe, NM, where milk standards were being upgraded. Floyd’s territory was New Mexico and Colorado. In April 1959, he was returned to Texas to train for wholesale and retail selling branches in Big Spring and Lubbock, TX.

In 1962, Floyd was ready to own his own business and earned his insurance licenses and designation as a chartered life insurance agent. He had a long successful career, training and hiring many agents, and representing many life and health insurance companies. He closed his Kernes and Associates office in July 2006. Traveling was always a hobby enjoyed. Floyd and Bonnie traveled to Europe, South East Asia, the Holy Land countries, Scandinavian countries, Russia, all 50 states and North American countries. The hobby of reading took him on many arm chair trips, too.

Floyd was active in professional and civic organizations in Lubbock, serving as President in all of them. He was a member of the Kiva Shrine and spent over 50 years in the Mackenzie Masonic Lodge.

In 2010, Floyd had a stroke at age 83. There were no close family in Lubbock and decided they should move closer to family. They resettled in Lepanto. Floyd is preceded in death by brothers Earl, and James Kernes and sister Josephine Logston. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Jernigan Kernes of 73 years. Two brothers, Bill (Alice) and David (Mary Lou), all of Quitman, TX, one sister, Oda Mae Strebeck of Texarkana, AR. Numerous nieces and nephews and loving brothers and sister in laws.

Funeral Service will be private. Arrangements are under the care of Delancey Funeral Home, Lepanto, Arkansas.