Gloria Dawn Karkos

Gloria Karkos of Keller, Texas, passed away on December 18th in Fort Worth, Texas. She will always be remembered, to all that knew and loved her, as a loving mother/wife/grandmother, caring friend, a person who was always happy - with a great sense of humor, a person who LOVED music and singing – especially organ music, a person who loved the State of Maine/New England area, and who loved the outdoors.

She was born on June 4, 1931 in Castle Hill, Maine to Edith (Mae) and Robert Porter.

Gloria and her husband Joseph F. Karkos were High School sweethearts and were married 71 years at the time of Joe’s passing, in December 2021. Gloria went to Lisbon Falls, Maine High School where she and Joe met and fell in love. Gloria was a High School cheerleader, a High School Yearbook Council Member, one of the top students in her class, and a JCPenney clothes model. In addition to singing, Gloria played the organ and the piano.

In December 1950 (at 19), Gloria took a train from Lisbon Falls, Maine to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to marry Joseph, who was working as a glass blower at the time. Gloria and Joe were married on December 23rd and enjoyed 71 years of marriage.

Gloria was a mother to 3 children, Vaughn, Janice, and Kevin. Her children knew a home of love, hugs, manners, and “do the right things in life.” Gloria was a lead singer in the church choir. She had three quirky requirements for her children: 1) That they all be born in the same place – Lisbon Falls, Maine, 2) That they all go to the same High School, and 3) That they all grow up with the Methodist religion in their life.

Gloria was born with the “gift” of talking. It was rare that she could not start a conversation with anyone, or become friends with any person she talked to. Gloria could always make anyone feel at ease with her talking and laughter. The three best things about Gloria were that she could “make the best out of a bad situation,” “if things didn’t go as planned – she would have fun with/enjoy what she did have,” and she could “find the positive to go forward when handed a bag of lemons.”

Gloria is survived by her daughter - Janice Hales of Bluffton, South Carolina; son – Kevin Karkos of Keller, Texas; daughter-in-law – Kimberly Karkos of Keller, Texas; daughter-in-law – Diane Karkos of Ganado, Texas; brother-in-law – David Karkos of Ridge Manor, Florida; grandchildren – Chad Karkos (wife-Jeni), Nicole and Kellyn Karkos, Alison Wylie (husband-Alan), Lisa Gehn, Nicholas Gehn (wife- Gabrielle), and Samuel Karkos; 10 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband - Joseph Karkos; her oldest son - Vaughn Karkos; her parents – Robert and Edith (Mae) Porter; her oldest brother - Ernest Porter; her youngest brother - Gerry Porter; her parents–in-law – Joseph and Helen Karkos; her brothers-in-law – Eugene Karkos of Rhode Island and Thomas Karkos of Chicago, Illinois; and her sister-in-law – Claudette Karkos of Florida.

In lieu of flowers, Gloria would like you to please submit any memorial contributions to the Charity of your choice; to help others.