Harold Karner

Harold Floyd Karner entered the nearer presence of his Lord on October 29, 2024 at the age of 94. Assured of his salvation through the redeeming sacrifice of Jesus Christ, Harold faithfully awaits the hope of resurrection proclaimed in the Holy Scripture.

Harold was born on June 18, 1930 at the family home in a rural area south of Guthrie, Oklahoma. Harold grew up second youngest of five boys born to parents Frank and Esther (Schultz) Karner. In his youth, Harold developed an interest in electronics, which blossomed into a hobby and later led to a career in aviation electronics. After graduating from high school in 1948, Harold attended Oklahoma A&M College (OSU) and then worked at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Harold enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951, serving four years during the Korean War. After this, Harold returned to Tinker, but subsequently, a job opportunity became available, and Harold interviewed and was chosen by American Bosch Arma Corporation to work on the Atlas missile projects. After the missile projects were completed, Harold worked for the Department of Army Civil Service at White Sands Missile Range in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Following this Harold was at Altus Air Force Base in Altus, Oklahoma working on the C-5 & C-41 aircraft. Finally, Harold finished his career at General Dynamics (Lockheed) in Ft. Worth, Texas. 

In 1956, Harold met the love of his life, Berneice Evers, and they were married the following year in 1957. From this union, three children were born. Harold was a devoted husband and father and unselfishly put his family’s needs before his own. Harold loved to explore and was always ready to pop in the car for a road trip. The family has numerous fond memories of the many travels throughout the United States. Harold led an active life, rarely sitting idle. He was instrumental in founding two church congregations, Faith Lutheran Church, Altus, OK and Messiah Lutheran Church, Keller, TX. Throughout his life, Harold found joy in troubleshooting, problem-solving and fixing anything that came into his hands and he would often come to the aid of grateful family and friends who needed his help.

Harold is predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Berneice Irene (Evers) Karner; parents Frank and Esther Karner; brothers and spouses Al and Selma Karner, Walt and Esther Karner, Roy and Betty Karner, Franklin and Elisabeth Karner. Immediate family members left to cherish his memory and mourn his passing are children, Charlene Johnson and husband Roger; Marlene Johnson and husband Rodney; Myron Karner and wife Joanna; and granddaughter Monica Johnson (daughter of Marlene and Rodney). He will be missed by extended family members including numerous nieces and nephews and many friends.

A funeral service will be held at one o'clock in the afternoon, Friday, November 1, 2024, at Messiah Lutheran Church, 1308 Whitley Road in Keller, TX 76248. Visitation will be held at the church at noon prior to the service. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall. Harold will be laid to rest next to his wife at 12:00 noon the following day at Arlington Memory Gardens, 3400 Midwest Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73141.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Messiah Lutheran Church at the address above and marked for Seminary Student Support. The family wishes to express their heart-felt thanks to the staff at Whitley Place and Heart to Heart Hospice.