Arthur Kenneth Bernier
Ken was a dedicated volunteer and supporter of Transition House, Inc. He served on the Board of Directors from 1996 to 2002, then became an Ex-Officio Board member until the time of his death. Ken served as Board President for 2 terms and volunteered in a variety of capacities for Transition House, Inc. - from his support in administrative areas to fund raising - Ken's support seemed unless. In 1999, Transition House, Inc., nominated Ken for Volunteer of the Year in the Humanitarian category. Most recently, Ken served as a judge in the June Bug Jam 2003.
Ken's support, words of encouragement, and visits will be missed by all at Transition House, Inc.
The following is his obituary from the Norman Transcript:
Arthur
Kenneth Bernier, 69, of Norman died Tuesday, April 27, at Norman Regional
Hospital. Visitation will be today and Friday at Havenbrook Funeral Home
in Norman. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Havenbrook Funeral
Home Chapel.
Mr.
Bernier was born March 19, 1935, in Norman, to Viola and A.C. “Coon”
Bernier. He attended Norman Public Schools through the eighth-grade. He
then left to attend high school at Thomas Jefferson School for Boys in St.
Louis. Mr. Bernier graduated cum laude with a BA in architectural sciences
from Harvard University. He returned to Norman and married Jane Frances
Mead in 1958. Mr. Bernier served in the Army from 1957-59. After the
completion of his military service, Mr. Bernier began what would become a
long career with WesternElectric/AT&T. He recieved a juris doctorate
from the Oklahoma City University School of Law. At AT&T, Mr. Bernier
served in many capacities, including affirmative action officer, before
retiring as regional department chief for benefits. Family members say Mr.
Bernier was a proud and devoted husband, father and grandfather and also
will be remembered for his selfless dedication to numerous community
causes. Mr. Bernier was a member of many boards including the Community
After School Program and the Pioneer Multi-County Library System. In
addition to being a board member, he also served terms as board
president/chair for the United Way, Transition House, Children’s Arts
Network and Jazz In June. He volunteered at KGOU Public Radio and was
active in the realization of Norman’s new animal adoption shelter. Mr.
Bernier was a past nominee for Norman’s Volunteer of the Year and in 2001
was awarded the Norman Arts and Humanities Council Person in the Arts
Award. Mr. Bernier belonged to various organizations including Sooner
Rotary, the Oklahoma Bar Association, the Norman Chamber of Commerce and
McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church.
Mr. Bernier was preceded in death by his
parents.
Mr. Bernier is survived by his
wife, Jane; daughters, Michelle Little and husband, Sam, of Edmond,
Christie Tongier and husband, Jason, of Norman and Sarah Gillard (whom Mr.
Bernier was a surrogate father) and husband, Phil, of Tonbridge, England;
grandchildren Stephanie, Jessica, Madeline, Nia, Serena, Ben and
Francesca; brother, R. Dell Bernier and wife, Debby, of Tulsa; and several
nieces and nephews and their families.
Memorial contributions may be sent to any organization Mr.
Bernier was involved with.