John Franklin Karn
December 6, 1946 ~ December 13, 2010
John Franklin Karn, 64, of Cedar Rapids, passed away December 13, 2010, at the University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics, following complications from open heart surgery. Visitation: 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2010, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. Memorial Services: 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 8, 2011, at Peoples Church Unitarian Universalist, Cedar Rapids. John is survived by his husband, Tony Browning, of Cedar Rapids; his sister and brother-in-law, Pat and Ron Doncavage, of Bloomington, Minnesota; nephews, Todd (Jackie) Doncavage, and their children, Evie and Henry; Kent (Heather) Doncavage, and their children, Franklin and Lewis. John is also survived by his step-mother, Lois Karn of Spearfish, South Dakota; aunts, uncles, and a number of cousins in various states. John was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Evy Karn of Belfast, New York. John came to Cedar Rapids in 1986, as the first Executive Director of the Science Station, a position he held until 1995, when he joined the private sector until his retirement in 2008. John was an active member in Peoples Church Unitarian Universalists, including serving as Membership Director for several years. John was also active in the community as past President of the Cedar Rapids Gay and Lesbian Resource Center (GLRC) and past executive board member and Treasurer for the Iowa Abortion Aid Fund (IAAF). John was a volunteer with One Iowa in the pursuit of marriage equality. John's passion was singing and performing in the theatre, having participated in a number of productions at Theatre Cedar Rapids, as well as singing with the choir at Peoples Church and The Quire in Iowa City. His beautiful tenor voice will be missed by many. Instead of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in John's name to One Iowa, www.oneiowa.org
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Working on church committees with John was a joy because he valued everyone’s opinion–and because we often broke into song before the committee meeting ended. He was a good and decent man who graced Peoples with his presence and marriage. We will remember his caring ways–and his great laugh!
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I worked with John at MCI/Worldcom. He made life at work more interesting. At one of our Holiday parties, he asked me to dance so we could show the “youngsters how it was really done”! I have missed him and will continue to do so.
Tony,
We are so sorry for your loss and are thinking of you. Though we did not know him well, John seemed to be a kind and wonderful man.
Although I had never met John, I’m sure he was a wonderful person based upon the stories you’ve told about your life with him and your sweet dogs. I’m very sorry for your loss.
Dear Ones – May God’s love
protect and comfort you in
these days of searching for
answers to your great loss.
May you know that John is at
rest in the love of God with
the promise of life eternal.
Share with and love each other.
Love
Darleen
My condolences to his family. He must of been a wonderful guy being what I know of Tony.
Tony, I’m so sorry to hear of John’s death. He was an awesome person and will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him. Take care and please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
John, I didn’t get to know you very well, but I could tell you were a great guy with a big heart. I’ll miss singing with you in The Quire, as I know everyone else will, too. My condolences go out for Tony and your family. RIP John Karn.
Tony,
I was shocked to see John’s obituary in today’s paper. I can’t begin to imagine your loss. My deepest sympathy to you and John’s family on the loss of your beloved spouse.
Being a classmate of his sister, Pat, I knew that John came from a close and loving family. I know that he will be sorely missed! God bless and keep you in His tender care!
John, your time with us was cut short, but in that time your heart and soul always shown forth. These words, (which are not my own) really sum up my thoughts at this time.
“What moves through us is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, one more touch, we may not understand why you left this earth so soon, or why you left before we were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, we begin to remember not just that you died, but that you lived. And that your life gave us memories too beautiful to forget.”
I was lucky enough to work with John on the Iowa Medical Aid Fund board. Although I didn’t know him well, he was a wonderful caring person. He had love and respect for everyone, and a wonderful outlook on life. John, your time here was too short, we will miss you good friend.
Tony, I’m your cousin, Beth. I am so sorry, sweetie, for your loss. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Please email me. I need to speak with you about a family directory I am putting together.
Lots of Love.
Beth
Tony, I’m sorry for your loss, take care cousin and let me hear from you.
Dear Tony, I am so sorry for your loss.Although we don’t keep in touch like we should just remember we love you are are praying for you.If you need anything we are here for you.
Toney, iam sorry for your lose.love and prayers are comeing your way.tay strong cuz. love Hope and Family.
22 years knowing John
John was one of the first people we met when we joined Peoples Church in 1988. He was always friendly and we interacted in so many ways–committees, choir, John was president of the congregation, served on Search Committees, performed music. We enjoyed the company of John and Tony on a trip to Romania where John enjoyed viewing historic Unitarian sites and meeting the people from our partner church there.
But I think what impresses me the most in knowing John all these years is the experience of watching someone gradually come out as a gay man and feel comfortable with who he was. It seemed like John was never happier than during his years with Tony, and especially when they were able to marry in Peoples Church and publicly share their love for each other. You can just look at his relaxed, smiling face in the recent pictures and know he was happy.
Tony, we loved John but remember that his friends are also your friends and we want to be here for you while you adjust to life without him.
I always appreciated John’s friendliness and his joyful personality.
John was the empitome of a Gentle Man. His voice, wit and wisdom will be missed.
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We will miss you very much, John! You were a great friend to many and were always wonderful to run into in the community. Thanks for all you’ve done and for who you were and still are in people’s hearts.
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I will forever cherish many special moments shared with my cousin & dear friend John through the years. His beautiful Smile, infectious Laugh & magnificent Voice are treasured within my heart. Gramma Karn always said. “leaves have their time to fall & flowers to wither, this too is just a passing from one life to another, lightsome & glorious.” Thinking of You Tony & Pat, family & friends…
It was such a pleasure working with John on Pride events. His sweet energy and laugh were infectious. I am sorry he passed so young. He will be missed in the community.
John’s passing certainly came as a surprise to us but did stop us for a minute and make us think and reflect on some of the contributions John made to the GLBT community and Cedar Rapids ihn general. It is men like John that paved and have laid the groundwork that will make all of our lives and the GLBT community and gay men in particular’s lives one of equality and safety. He will so be missed! Rest in peace John!
Hello Tony,
On various occasions, you and John and I have waved greetings to each other across Pat & Ron’s driveway and our driveway on Kell Avenue. I miss that! I’ve thought of you daily since John’s death. Kent told me you are here for Christmas with the Doncavages. Blessings on all of you.
Shay
Tony,
Words cannot express my thoughts about the loss of John well enough. John was a special man and I am glad I was able to get to know him a little through the years. My deepest sympathy goes out to you and my thoughts are never far away. Please know that I am always no more than a phone call away if you ever want to talk.
Tony & Family,
I’m thinking of you. I can’t imagine a world without John and his beautiful smile in it.
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John, you will be missed so much. You were a great friend to many and a blessing to the entire community.
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