John M. Bernard

John M. Bernard, 52, Moses Lake resident and Grant County Sheriff's deputy, passed away Sunday, January 3, 2010 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident while on patrol duty. Services will be held at noon on Monday, January 11, 2010 at Big Bend Community College, 7662 Chanute Street, Bldg. 2000, Moses Lake, Washington. Burial will follow at the Ephrata Cemetery. Jonathan (John) Mark Bernard was born on May 2nd, 1957 in Santa Rosa, California to Raymond and Mae (Minsch) Bernard. John graduated in the Jefferson High School (Portland, Oregon) class of 1975. He went on to attend and earn credits from Portland Community College in Portland, Oregon and Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, Washington. John had a diverse skill set and used them in various fields while working toward his lifelong dream of serving as a peace officer. In Oregon John was on the ambulance crew for Newberg Hospital and served, for several years, as a reserve deputy for Yamhill County Sheriff Department. After moving to Washington he worked provisional and reserve for several law enforcement agencies including Grant County Corrections---Officer (1997---2002), Ephrata Police Department---Patrol Officer (2002---2006) and Grant County Sheriff’s Department---Deputy (2006---2010). John was also a member of the Grant County Sheriff’s Association. As tireless as John was in service to his community, he was even more devoted to his family. John was a kind, loyal, gentle and patient husband. His wife, Tami, loved his strength and endurance but, was continually impressed by and thankful for his ability to balance that strength with gentleness and compassion for she and his family. John was Tami’s pillar of strength and loyal partner; his love for her was evident in his actions. John was a loving and devoted father to three sons, Ryan, Brandon and Jeff. His boys especially appreciated that he always saw their potential and loved them unconditionally. He taught his boys respect and modeled many honorable traits for them throughout their lives. They especially admire his honesty, loyalty, integrity, reliability and selflessness. John chose to grow and better himself each day and encouraged his sons to do the same. Anyone who knew John knew how important his sons were to him. His investment in them is apparent in the qualities he passed on to them. Brandon and Jeff consider it a great honor to carry on his legacy. John was preceded in death by his son, Ryan Bernard, his father, Raymond Bernard, and his granddaughter, Hadley Fox. He is survived by his wife, Tami Bernard and two sons, Jeff (Keair) and Brandon Bernard. He had three stepchildren Angela Fox (Brandon), Amanda Pewitt (Brian) and Clayton Pewitt. His mother, Mae, two brothers, James and Joe and one sister, Lee and her husband Marty, also survive him. John had three nieces Tiffany Russell (Ben), Elizabeth Peterson---Crouse (Matthew) and Christina Peterson. Two great nieces Samantha Russell and Madilynn Dinter and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins also survive him. John’s surviving grandchildren are Keegan and Liam Fox and Anastaysja and Reagan Pewitt.

John M. Bernard

May 2, 1957 - January 3, 2010