 KERSEY, JAMES A. W. James A. W. Kersey of McKinleyville, CA formerly of Livermore, CA passed away December 26 with family members by his side. He fought a long battle with prostate cancer earning the admiration of friends, family, doctors and nurses with his careful attention to detail and upbeat attitude. James (Jim) was born in Chattanooga, TN to James and Lorene Kersey on February 7, 1936. He served in the Naval Reserve for several years while attending Cogswell Polytechnical College and worked at Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM. He transferred to Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore where he continued college courses at night and became an electronics engineer, achieving the level of Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff, the highest level for non-management employees. Being considered a mentor was important to him; he was always pleased to share his knowledge with co-workers among whom he was known as a top-notch problem solver. His marriage to the late Carolyn Burris brought two sons and his later marriage to Karen Lammerts added her three sons to the family. He made time to coach several Little League teams and became President of the League enjoying the many young people with whom he came in contact. During his sons' high school days he could be found in the garage helping rebuild a car engine and his sons and their friends learned a lot from him. Upon retiring from Sandia with 44 years of service, he moved to McKinleyville, CA in what he liked to call "God's Country" - the Pacific Coast north of Eureka, CA. He loved trading on the stock market, photography and computer technology and stayed close with grandchildren through computer games becoming known as the "Pokemon Grandpa" to many of his grandchildren. Jim is survived by Karen, his loving wife of 34 years; son Randy of Groveland, CA; son Glenn of Livermore, CA; son John and wife Resi of Holzkirchen, Germany; son Jerry and wife Carmen of Singapore; and son Jeff and wife Kelly of Tacoma, WA; eleven grandchildren; two sisters, Judy Randall and husband Bruce of Lincoln, CA and Sandi Smith and husband Rich of Pollock Pines, CA; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Lorene, and by three sisters, Gwen Wilbur of Pinole, CA. JoAnn Johnson of Ukiah, CA. and Charlynn Kersey of Tennessee. Jim, we all miss you and your great advice; we love you and all you stood for. This quote from a card says it all, "Some men leave their mark on the world by the way they live and the difference they make in the lives they touch." This was so true of Jim. A private family memorial service will be held when his cremains are scattered this coming summer. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice of Humboldt, the American Cancer Society or to Dr. Fratkin's ResolutionCare, an end-of-life palliative care organization, will be appreciated.
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