Roger D. Karns

Beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Roger was born in Canaseraga, NY to May and Milton Karns in 1941. Roger was one of five children and his sisters insist it was Roger (not Bonnie) who was the troublemaker in the family, though his brother Jim refuses to take sides.

In 1976 his adventurous spirit and love for cars brought Roger, his wife Nadine, and their two small children to Oneonta from the Binghamton area to open Roger Karns Ford. He has remained here in Oneonta with his wife Nadine ever since.

Roger loved selling cars, loved his customers, his employees and the excitement of the car business, and he truly enjoyed getting creative to make a deal. Bales of hay on trade? Why not? In 1987 Roger and Nadine bought their farm, which they named “Highlander Hollow Farm”. Some say they bought it in order to make use of all of those bales of hay they would take in on trade at the Ford store.

Roger was an avid photographer with an eye for that perfect shot. Whether it be an action shot of his son on a dirt bike, hiking back country in the snow, a beautiful still life, or a candid shot of the family, he enjoyed both using and collecting cameras. Roger enjoyed spending time in his dark room watching his pictures come to life, or putting on a slide show.

Upon selling the dealership in 2006, Roger enjoyed traveling, visiting family and taking immense pleasure in his daily chores at the ‘funny farm”. Roger had a great love for the many animals he and Nadine had at the “funny farm” over the years, and showered them with love and compassion, enjoying them all to the fullest. Roger loved his tractors and could sharpen a chainsaw like no one else.

Although fantastic at making pancakes he was terrible at scrabble. A patient fisherman that took joy in not only teaching his grandchildren to fish, but also stepping back to watch them as well.

Predeceased by his son Jeff Karns, Roger is survived by his wife Nadine, their two children Adam Karns, of Oneonta, NY and Shelly Georgopulos (Jonathan) of Malvern, PA, and 6 grandchildren, Brynn and Jayda Karns of Oneonta, Julia and Christopher Georgopulus of Malvern, PA and Meghan Stringer and Jared Karns, as well as his siblings Bonnie, Jim, Nancy, and Barb. In lieu of a memorial service or flowers Roger would like you to share a fond memory of him while listening to an old record album preferably Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, or Bob Dylan.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.grummonsfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.