Gary D. Karnatz

Gary D Karnatz, 76, passed away on July 29, 2023 at Central Nebraska Veterans Home in Kearney, NE.

Gary Karnatz was born on July 19, 1947, in Davenport, Nebraska to Reuel and Helen (Koci) Karnatz.  They lived north of Ong, Nebraska in his early years before moving to Fairfield, Nebraska in 1954.  He attended grade and high school in Fairfield and graduated in 1965.  He then attended Milford Tech for two years studying Diesel Mechanics.  Following graduation from Milford, Gary enlisted in the Air Force Service from 1968 through 1972 where he specialized in Electronics and Radar. His stations included bases in Texas, California, Mississippi and Georgia.  He spent five months in Vietnam.

Following his discharge Gary lived in Texas until March, 2000 working for John Deere and self employed as a mechanic.

Gary loved cars and hunting and fishing and up until an unfortunate turn of events when Gary suffered a heat stroke plus a case of Guillian-Barre` in 1998 which resulted in his being in a wheel chair. He spent the years since in the Central Nebraska Veterans Home, first in Grand Island and then in Kearney upon the opening of that facility.

While in Grand Island he was an active member.  He worked in the library and cataloged all of their media and assisted the other residents on the computer.  He received a special recognition from the home for his efforts of bringing the circus annually to the Veterans Home.

Gary is survived by his son, Daniel Karnatz of Austin, Texas; Brothers, Jerry (Sandra) from Schuyler, Nebraska, Lyle (Deb) from Edgar, Nebraska; Sisters, Alleen (Karnatz) Ernst,  from  Magnolia, Texas,  Diann (Karnatz) Gentry of Fairfield, Nebraska  plus numerous nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents Reuel and Helen and step-father Myrl Cook.

Services were Friday, 10:00 am, August 4, 2023, at the Williams Funeral Home in Edgar with Rev. Ethan Feistner officiating. Interment with military honors was at the Fairfield Cemetery.

Williams Funeral Home
219 North C Street
Edgar, Nebraska  68935

Phone 402-224-5315
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com

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