It is with great sadness the family of Cody M. McKernan announces his sudden and untimely passing as the result of an automobile accident during the early morning hours of Thursday, November 27.

Cody was born Aril 19, 2007 in Cape May Court House to Jodie McKernan and Katy Murphy-McKernan.  From the minute he was born, his parent knew that he was special.  He was an old soul in a young body.  He could be described as a cross between James Dean and John Wayne, but instead of riding a horse he chose to Captain a boat.  He always had a love of the water and exploration of the seas which led to him doing explorative diving off the Coast of Cape May.

He graduated from Cape Tech Class of 2025 where he studied natural sciences and earned his diving license.  He worked as a deck hand on sport fishing boats and also did boat maintenance.   Along with diving, he also enjoyed fishing.  He also collected war and military memorabilia and was extremely patriotic and respectful to everyone including veterans.  His Patriotism led him to explore the different branches of the United Staes Military.  As a teenager he was a member of the Civil Air Patrol.  He decided to enlist in the United States Coast Guard where he had hoped to gain his 6 pack Captain’s license beginning January of 2026. 

Cody could be described as quiet but not shy; opinionated but respectful; patriotic and proud.  He will forever be missed by his mother Katy Murphy-McKernan and step father Mark Lare; father Jodie McKernan and step mother Carlee Bastian; siblings Demi Mitchell, Anthony Fletcher, Charlie McKernan, Jessica Fisher, Stephen Novakowski, Landon and Skylar DeGraw; grandparents Jackie Arena (Rob), Michael Murphy (Jackie Auberzinsky), Jackie Brown and John McKernan (Rita Voli); aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his maternal grandmother Lorrainne Murphy and paternal grandfather Joe Brown.

Funeral services will be held 1PM Saturday, December 6 at Evoy Funeral Home 3218 Bayshore Road North Cape May.  Family and friends are invited to pay their respects from 11AM until the time of services.  Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations be made to the Luke Lare Foundation.  You may make a donation in his memory by visiting LukeLareFoundation.org.

The family would apprieciate any photos you may have of Cody and wish to share.  To upload and share, please scan the QR code showing near Cody's photo at the top of this obituary.