Obituary of James Aaron Kern

James Aaron Kern, known to most people as Jim, passed away on March 22, 2026, at the age of 80.

Jim was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and moved with his family to New England in 1948.  He grew up in Johnston, Rhode Island, and graduated from Classical High School in Providence in 1962.  Jim was a determined boy scout, and attained Eagle Scout status.

Jim went on to attend Northeastern University in Boston and the University of Rhode Island, where he earned his degree in Chemical Engineering in 1977, later adding an MBA to his credentials. He had a long career as an engineer at Texas Instruments in Attleboro, Massachusetts, where he worked for nearly four decades before retiring.

In 1981, Jim married Elfriede Hitzler (Kuhn, Blackmer), and together they made their home in Pomfret, Connecticut. Jim took great pride in his large property and its gardens and landscape.  Jim was fond of helping fatten up the cow next door and then enjoyed the choice cuts that followed. He was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Smithfield, Rhode Island.  Jim and Elfriede enjoyed outings at Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly, RI, German Picnics and he was a familiar face at the Pomfret Senior Center. At home, few things gave him more joy than watching The Sound of Music with Elfriede by his side.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Elfriede; his parents, Mark Henry Kern and Melinda T. (Schulz) Kern; his brother Paul; and his sister Marlyn. He is survived by his brothers Mark and Philip, and by his stepsons Wayne Blackmer and Randy Kuhn.

Jim Kern will be deeply missed by all who knew him.