A celebration of life for John Van Valzah Bernard will be at 10AM, Friday, September 27, 2024 at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Alexandria, LA under the direction of Magnolia Funeral Home, Alexandria, LA.
John Van Valzah Bernard, of Alexandria, Louisiana passed away Monday, September 16, 2024 at the age of 79 following a brief illness. John was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend who was affectionately known as “Papa John” by those who loved him. “Papa John” absolutely loved the holidays, especially cooking the turkey on Thanksgiving and decorating the tree for Christmas. He loved antique shopping with his wife Pat and visiting with his family. He was always ready for some happy music and a party to celebrate any special occasion. He never missed a special event with family and was a special best friend to those he loved. His generosity and kindness will be treasured by all who knew him. If you needed anything, you could count on “Papa John”.
Born in Washington, DC February 23, 1945, to John James Bernard and Aglae Louise Van Valzah Bernard, he attended Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia where he made friends that lasted a lifetime. After graduation, he moved to Charleston, South Carolina to attend The Citadel where he earned a B.S. in Business Administration and graduated in 1969 as a member of November Company. Following graduation, he entered the Army and served as Captain with the 122nd Maintenance Battalion in Germany. After his service, he returned to Charleston where he worked for Port Oil under the tutelage of John H. White. During this time, he earned his Masters of Business Administration from The Citadel while working full time and raising a young family.
In 1980, John left Charleston and took a job with Richardson Ayres Oil, later Petron, in Alexandria, Louisiana. In 1991 John’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to open Kwikway Exxon on the corner of Jackson and Bolton, marking the beginning of several successful business ventures. John was a highly regarded businessman in Louisiana and known for his expertise in gas and oil.
John was an avid outdoorsman his whole life. He collected arrowheads in Virginia as a boy and continued to collect treasures throughout his life. His love of hunting and fishing brought many wonderful friends into his life. While always a duck hunter, central Louisiana led John to one of his greatest pleasures later in life, alligator hunting. He could be found each September with tags in his pockets in his boat introducing friends and friends of friends to his beloved sport. John became affectionately known as “Gatormun”, a title he relished. Outside of hunting season, John could be found following any and all LSU sports, cheering for his beloved New Orleans Saints or snoozing in front of Fox News. He loved working in his yard and entertaining his friends and family. John’s legacy is one of love, adventure and dedication. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who knew him.
Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife, Patricia Brymer Bernard; all of his children, Caroline Bernard Ledlie (James) of Charleston, SC, Christy Bernard Rimkus (Chris) of Denver, CO, Terry Turnbow of Jonesboro, LA and Tina Turnbow Alexander (Daren); grandchildren, Meghan Adalie Rimkus, Chandler Anne Rimkus, Sullivan Bernard Rimkus, James William Ledlie, Bernard Thomas Ledlie, Tiffany Alma Turnbow, Nikki Dianne Jorgensen, Bella Bliss Jorgensen and Analise Rose Jorgensen; great grandchildren, Riah Cain Fullerton and Charlotte Rose Pettus.
He was preceded in death by his brother, William Robert Bernard of Nassau, Bahamas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Alexandria, LA.