Gerald Ray Karnes

November 7, 2024

Gerald Ray Karnes age 90 of Salina, Kansas Passed away on October 11, 2024. Gerald was born December 30, 1933 in Hoxie Kansas.
He is survived by his loving family, wife Charlene Karnes, son Steve (Becky) Karnes, grandson Aaron (Casey) Karnes, great grandson Seth (Cori) Karnes, great-great grandson William Karnes, great granddaughter Madison Karnes, granddaughter Kelly Jo (Harold) Hendricks, great granddaughter Harper Jo, son Don (Julie) Karnes, daughter Nancy Karnes, grandson Justin Vick, great granddaughter Millie Vick, grandson Drew (Michelena) Vick, extended grandchildren Naomi, Natalie, Clint (Mary), great grandkids Brandon (Katie), Brady (Jessica), Morgyn (Lee), Aislyn (Kole), Jace, Justice, Travis, Zoey, Alexander, great-great grandkids, Arlo, Shaylynn, Hazim, Bella, Holden, and Henry. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents Oscar Karnes and Elma Karnes, brothers George Karnes, James Karnes, Frank Karnes, sisters Dorothy Karnes, Gladys Karnes-Breden, and grandson Trent Karnes.
Services will be held Friday November 8th at 11:00am at the Trinity United Methodist Church 901 E. Neal Ave. Salina, Kansas. There will be a graveside service the following day Saturday at 11:00 am at the Hoxie, Kansas cemetery.
Eulogy
Gerald met the love of his life Charlene when he was 11 years old. He asked her to marry him a few years later, and they were wed on October 4, 1953. They recently celebrated 71 years of marriage. A feat not accomplished by many. Gerald started out as a butcher at Getz IGA. With the loss of a couple of digits (his own), he decided to move on to his real passion agricultural conservation. Working for the federal government in Gove, and Wallace county, he finished out his career in Salina Kansas, and decided to settle there for their retirement.
Gerald had a passion for taking care of the land, conservation as well as the farmers in the area. He also had a great love for the Kansas area and was quite the historian. His grandchildren and great grandchildren went to him often for any information they wanted regarding family history and just general historical information. They certainly counted on him to help with those school projects and he was so happy to do it. He was like an encyclopedia, full of knowledge. Gerald’s love of his family was abundant and he felt great pride with them all.
Gerald’s passions went beyond genealogy and history following his retirement he took an interest in photography. At that he had quite an eye for and went on to win several awards with his photos. He also kept busy with wood carvings and even painting, all of which he was good at. Gerald never sat idle and mastered anything he put his mind to. His compassionate spirit will be forever missed by us all. I want to follow this with something we found that Gerald had written not long before his death this will tell you a little something about the man he was.
As we gather may the meditations of our hearts and minds and all that we say and do be blessed by you oh God! We gather as one united family – may the spirits of our memories of those gone on by be remembered and honored by our deeds and actions!
- Gerald Karnes
One day soon we will find ourselves at the cemetery alone, or in reunion with family and friends. Kneeling to pick at the grass or place a flower or stone on a grave and offer a silent prayer. Our thoughts will surely reflect our love and admiration. We will fight against the depression and grief creeping in. We may quietly speak with others about the hardships and tragedy, aspirations and achievements, the everyday experiences and humorous incidents that have flavored our lives. A solemn time now, wiping away a tear with a feeling of loss. We reflect on the good times with family and friends. Standing tall we remember, rejoice in our good memories………….
- Gerald Karnes