Roll Call Tribute

Anatole Joseph "Nat" Kern, DVM 

August 15, 1948 - September 17, 2024 

Dr. Anatole “Nat” Joseph Kern, of Metairie, LA, age 76, passed away on Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

Nat was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years, Sandra Crochet Kern, and his parents, Edrick Claude Kern and Clara Gondron Kern.

Nat is survived by his daughter, Rochelle Eva Kern Autin (Jared); his son, Jerome David Kern (Molly); his three sisters, Karen Kern, Kathleen Kern, and Jackie Kern; and his four grandchildren, Joseph Thomas Kern, Tyler Joseph Autin, Alexis Clara Kern, and Brady John Autin.

Nat was born in New Iberia, Louisiana, on August 15, 1948 and was a graduate of Assumption High School. He continued his education by receiving his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University. Nat went on to be the first extern at the University of Georgia, where he led clinical rounds and became an Assistant Professor at UGA. After Georgia, he moved back to Louisiana with his family, and joined one of his college classmates as a veterinarian at Airline Animal Hospital. For nearly 30 years, he treated pets, helped clients, and worked with hundreds of friends. It was his pride and joy. In his retirement, he enjoyed his “therapy”, which included riding his tractor for hours while maintaining the farm and planting veggies. He was fond of traveling with the “Crazy Cajuns,” and liked to follow financial and investment news. Most of all, he enjoyed being a grandfather, and would spend as much time as he could with his grandchildren.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Nat’s amazing neighbors, Janice and Melanie, the staff at Peristyle Residences, especially to Renada, Loretta, and Monique, to his caregiver and friend, Vanessa, and to friends that were family, Jackie and Gene.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the memorial service in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 12:00PM. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 10:00AM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Nat’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org. 

To view and sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com