Bernard Roy Cremeans, Jr., passed away Friday, November 3, 2006. The Creator called him home and he answered His call. He was born in Huntington, WV, November 9, 1940, the son of Bernard R. Cremeans, Sr. and Ada Hall Cremeans.
Bernie served in the Army and was stationed in Germany during the Berlin Crisis of the Viet Nam War Era. He was a student at Huntington East H.S. and a graduate of Marshall University. He was employed as a Quality Control Engineer, authoring several Quality Control manuals.
Proud of their Cherokee ancestry, Bernie and his brother, David, founded the 501c3 organization, Native American Indian Federation, Inc. (N.A.I.F.). Together they operated Four Winds store and the Native American Indian Center located in Guyandotte. Bernie's life after retirement was dedicated to this organization's goal to bring to the community a better understanding of Native American culture and history and to provide a place for others to share, learn and receive help. He visited schools and other local institutions and gave presentations, and organized Native American cultural events and powwows.
His father, Bernard, Sr. and a brother, Gary, preceded Bernie in death.
Survivors include his mother, Ada Hall Cremeans, wife, Jenell Rector Cremeans, daughter, Jillian, two sons, Bryan and his wife, Tracy, Bryce and wife, Rachel and grandchildren, Tyler, John and Chloe and a stepson, Drew Bronson, three brothers and sisters-in-law, David L. and Darlene, Allan and Kathy, and Mike and Sandee Cremeans, two sisters and brothers-in-law, Bob and Carolyn Johnson, and Johnny and Sharon Woodard, and several nieces and nephews; five of whom shared in his love for all things Native American and helped him in his work, Katie Cremeans White and her husband Matt, Sean Woodard and Todd and Susan Cremeans.
Bernie was a faithful and loving husband, a dedicated father and family oriented man as well as being a kind and thoughtful friend. There was no love more genuine than his.
Thank you to the members of N.A.I.F for bringing pleasure to his life, to the children for listening to him with rapt attention and to the staff at St. Mary's whose kindness and dedication is greatly appreciated.
