Karnes, Dr. John Gardner, age 80, of Knoxville went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ early in the morning of August 11, 2014 at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, following a dignified and courageous battle with leukemia. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Dr. Karnes completed his pre-pharmacy training at the University of Tennessee and graduated from the U.T. College of Pharmacy in 1955. He then began his practice of pharmacy at Karnes Drug Store on Cumberland Avenue in January 1956 where he practiced first with his father, then as owner from 1974 until selling the business in 1991. Dr. Karnes was a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church, serving for many years as a greeter, and a member of the Eagle Men’s Sunday School Class. He was a dedicated volunteer with Mobile Meals and a pioneer of drug education in the Knox County School System through the Knoxville Police Department. He was an avid photographer and a fixture on the sidelines of U.T. football and basketball games for 30 years, chronicling countless legendary moments of the school’s proud athletic tradition. In 1978, while working with head trainer Tim Kerin, he helped establish the first in-house state-licensed pharmacy in NCAA Division I Sports. This in-house pharmacy has enabled U.T.’s team physicians for both the Vols and Lady Vols to have consistent and reliable access to prescription medications for their student-athletes’ needs and has become a model for universities nationwide. In 1997, the Letterman’s T-Club named him an honorary University of Tennessee letterman, and in 2014 the University of Tennessee Sports Medicine Department dedicated the “Dr. John G. Karnes Pharmacy” in honor of his service to his beloved alma mater. Preceded in death by parents, John M. and Helen P. Karnes. Survived by his wife of 59 years, Betty Mynatt Karnes; daughter, Kathy Karnes; sons, John M. Karnes and wife, Kathy, David M. Karnes and wife, Sharon, and William G. Karnes and wife, Kelley; grandchildren, David Wiley and wife, Carrie, Elizabeth Walker and husband, Brian, Anna Goins and husband, Jonathan, Kelsey Karnes, Ben Karnes, Robby Karnes, Tucker Karnes, and Kathleen Karnes; great-grandson Rylan Goins. Arrangements by Berry Funeral Home, 3704 Chapman Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920. The family will receive friends Thursday, August 14, 2014 at Mount Olive Baptist Church, 2500 Maryville Pike, Knoxville, TN 37920 from 5:00-7:00pm, a “Celebration of Life” service will follow at 7:00pm with Rev. Cesar Correa officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Mobile Meals, P.O. Box 51650, Knoxville, TN 37950. Condolences may be offered at www.berryfuneralhome.com
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