Bernard W. Trail

Bernard Wesley Trail was born June 4, 1932, to Thomas W. and Elizabeth Jane Burnsides Trail in Atwood, Kansas. He graduated from Atwood High School in 1950. Bernard entered the United States Army in 1952 and served in Germany. After his discharge in 1954, he attended college, graduating from Fort Hayes State College with a degree in Business Administration. On June 19, 1955, Bernie was united in marriage to Faye Herrin in Dodge City, Kansas. Bernie loved the Lord Jesus Christ. He had a personal relationship with Jesus and had read completely through the Bible many times and memorized many passages. He counted on it for wisdom and righteousness. He came from a large, very close, Christian family that at times struggled to make ends meet, but always gave to anyone in need. Bernie has recently been attending Crossroads Evangelical Free Church. His integrity and hands on leadership saw him through leadership and management positions with Montgomery Ward, Gibson Discount Centers, and then Pamida. God gave a direction change. He and his wife, Faye, and son, Rocky, purchased East Side Truck Stop which has grown to Trail's Travel Center. Bernie counted the people that worked for him as the "success" of the business. When complimented, Bernie would give credit to the Lord and his employees first. Bernie loved people and wanted people to work hard but enjoy it. He felt that if you didn't like what you were doing, you needed to find something you did like - but work hard at whatever it is. He never counted finances, assets, or possessions as his success. He believed that if you worked hard, had integrity and humility, you were successful. Bernie discretely gave out of his own pocket countless times to help people - anybody down on their luck or in need - sometimes paid back and sometimes not. Helping and loving was his blessing. Bernie always had time for his family with many great vacations, family visits, little league, and school activities to his credit. He enjoyed taking his son hunting and fishing and watching him play football. He loved his wife, Faye dearly and loved to surprise her at Christmas. He felt like though he was ill he should be taking care of her, not himself. His hobbies were reading the bible, playing and singing hymns on his keyboard, and traveling with Faye in their motor home. He and Faye enjoyed their grandkids hockey, figure skating, soccer, football, and dancing as they could attend. When Bernie was diagnosed with cancer, he first gave it to Jesus. Then he did what he always did: worked hard, humbly and with integrity. He cherished the afternoon visits at his own house with Faye and her coming out to see him, and the visits by his grandkids and son and daughter-in-law telling him about their activities. He was a great Christian husband, father, and grandfather. As his son, I was blessed by God to have him as my dad, boss, friend, mentor, and co-worker for 42 years. I got the privilege of working, praying, and talking with him daily and I cherish every moment I had with him. I look forward to seeing him again for eternity. Survivors include his wife; son, Rocky Trail and his wife Nanette; grandchildren: Dustin, Ashley, and Brayden Trail; brothers: Gene Trail and wife Ellen of Oklahoma City, Floyd Trail and wife Betty, Fay Trail and wife Frances, and Ray Trail and wife Rosa, all of Atwood, KS; sisters: Betty Brown of Topeka, KS, Lavonne Schlittenhardt and husband Edwin of St. Frances, KS, and Verlaine Hirsch and husband Leo of New Orleans, LA; brother-in-law, Leon Herrin and wife Christine of Medford, OR; sisters-in-law, Ardyce Trail of Atwood, KS, Sandy Nickols of Osborne, KS, and Sandy Trail of Atwood, KS; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Bernie was preceded in death by his parents; twin sisters, Nelda and Doreen Trail; brothers: Merle, Elmer, and Darrell; and brother-in-law, Melvin Brown. Memorials preferred to the Harvest the Land building project at Crossroads Evangelical Free Church.