Kern Treat

A Memorial Mass for Kern L. Treat of Flippin, Arkansas will be at 10AM Saturday March 21at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Yellville, Arkansas with Father Gregory Hart officiating. A Celebration of Life will be held immediately following at the home of Judy Loving. Kern died March 17, 2009 at his home. He was 79 years old. Kern was born September 11, 1929 at Cotter, Arkansas to Floyd and Zetta Treat. He was a graduate of Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville Law School. He and his brother Keith both suffered through polio in the early 40s. They each became quite successful as they progressed through life in spite of the problems they encountered as a result of the disease. Kern Treat began his career with the State of Arkansas when he was hired as the Assistant Director for the Bureau of Legislative Research, a branch of the Legislative Council in February 1954 under then Arkansas Governor, Francis Cherry. He was appointed by unanimous decision of the Legislative Council to be the Director of the Bureau on December 18, 1987 where he remained until his retirement in July 2005. Kern knew and was known by all of the Governors, Senators, Representatives, Directors of State Departments and employees of the State who worked in and around the Capitol Building during his 50 year career span and was highly respected by all. Kern was possibly the most knowledgeable person in the state when it came to the technicalities of the Arkansas Code of Law having had a hand in writing or reviewing almost all of the legislation, which was presented to the House and Senate for 50 years. Although Kern's first love was his work and all the people he worked with at the Bureau, he was also an avid hunter and fisherman. Survivors: He is survived by his two sons, Kyle Treat of Sherwood, Arkansas and Karlin Treat(Karen) of North Little Rock, Arkansas and their mother, former wife, Betty Treat of North Little Rock, Arkansas, two brothers Kenton Treat(Carolyn) and Kenneth Treat(Ann) both of Mountain Home, Arkansas, one sister, Kathy (Bill) White of Bull Shoals, Arkansas, two granddaughters, Lauren Treat of North Little Rock, Arkansas and Sara Chance(Andrew) of Fayetteville, Arkansas; one great grandson, Seth Chance of Fayetteville, Arkansas and one step grandson Dakoda Hughey of Sherwood, Arkansas. Preceded in Death by: He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Keith and Kelley Treat, and one sister Betty Kay Treat. Visitation: A Celebration of Life will be held immediately following at the home of Judy Loving. Funeral: A Memorial Mass for Kern L. Treat of Flippin, Arkansas will be at 10AM Saturday March 21at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Yellville, Arkansas with Father Gregory Hart officiating. Memorials: Memorials may be made to the C. Craig Burns Outdoor Education Endowment Care of Arkansas Community Foundation 1400 W. Markham Union Station Suite 206 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201.