Bernard Judge Obituary

Bernard J, Judge was born on February 2, 1928, in Kansas City, Mo son of Barney J. Judge and Rose E. Bettels Judge. He was the oldest of their three sons. Bernard attended grade and high schools in Kansas City, MO as well as graduating from Rockhurst College, now Rockhurst University.

In 1952, Bernard joined the U. S. Navy during the Korean Conflict and was sent to the Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I. where he was commissioned an Ensign. He then was assigned to the U. S. Navy Destroyer USS Renshaw (DDE-499) based in Pearl Harbor Hawaii. He served in the Operations Department as Communications Officer. While he served on the Renshaw, the ship provided security for the 1954 Atomic Experiments around the Bikini Island test area. The Renshaw also made two trips to the Western Pacific Area participating in operations around Japan, Korea and Okinawa. In 1956, he was transferred to the Navy Reserve Training Center in Kansas City, MO as Executive Officer. He was released from active duty in May 1957. He retired from the Navy Reserve with the rank of LCDR in 1977.

In August 1956 Bernard married Joan C. Wodicka. They had two children, Dana Marie and Gregory Michael.

In June 1957, he joined Hallmark Cards Company in Kansas City, MO as an Industrial Engineer. In 1960, he was transferred to the Hallmark Cards Lawrence, KS Plant as Senior Industrial Engineer. And then he was promoted the Technical Services Manager for the Lawrence Hallmark Plant. He retired from Hallmark Cards in 1988.

He served as an Usher at St. John's Catholic Church and on the Long-Range Planning Committee. In July 1981, the area west of Iowa Street was split off from St. John's Parish to form a new Parish. The name chosen by the new Parish was Corpus Christi Church. He served as Vice-Chair on the first Corpus Christi Parish Council. He helped recruit and organize the initial Corpus Christi Ushers and served as the Usher Coordinator for 27 years. He served on a number of Church Fund Raising Committees, and also on the Building Committees. He was Member of Corpus Christi Church Knights of Columbus Council and a Life 4th degree Knight of Columbus.

Bernard was active in Community programs. In 1966, he joined the Lawrence Sertoma Service Club and served on the Board of Directors, Club Secretary, Club President, two terms as Sertoma Kansas District Governor, Chair of a 4-State Sertoma Regional Convention and on numerous fund-raising activities. He participated in many Sertoma Regional and International Conventions.

He was recruited to serve on the Lawrence Douglas County Comprehensive Health Planning Council in 1972 and served two terms as President. He served on the Board and as President of Independence, Inc. He worked on the Lawrence Douglas County United Fund drives for over 20 years and served on the United Fund Board. He served two terms on the Lawrence Douglas County Planning Commission. He has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce for almost 40 years and served as an Envoy for most of the time. He was a member of the Chamber's Senior Council and served as Chair.

Bernard was pre-deceased by his father Barney, Mother Rose and Brother Leo.

He is survived by his daughter Dana Marie Judge of Topeka, KS. And by his son and wife, Gregory and Barrie Judge of Urbandale, IA and granddaughters Isabella McIntire and Emma Chenoweth. He is also survived by his brother and wife, Tom and Mary Judge of Rolling Hills Estates, CA. And he is survived by nieces Patricia Wamsley, Nancy Esry, Catherine Lacolle, and nephews Ronald Judge, Robert Judge and Richard Judge. And he is survived by a number of cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial is set for 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence, KS with a Rosary Recitation at 9:30 a.m. The committal service is set for 10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 19, 2023, at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Kansas City, MO.

Suggested Memorial contributions may be made for the benefit of Corpus Christi Church or Cottonwood, Inc. of Lawrence KS, sent to Warren-McElwain Mortuary; 120 W 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com.