Chris Karnaze, 98, died Monday, January 11, 2021. Chris was born in Kansas City, Kansas on November 12, 1922. His parents, George and Evanthia Karnaze, had both immigrated from Greece. He grew up in Kansas City, Kansas and graduated from Wyandotte High School.
Chris enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1943 and served in the Pacific theater during World War II. After training at Camp Pendleton he was sent to Hawaii. From there saw action in the Marshall Islands. He was part of the invasions of Guam and Okinawa. His unit was preparing for the invasion of Japan when the war ended. After two more post-war years in the USMC with time spent in China and San Francisco, he returned to Kansas City, Kansas. Chris was proud of his service in the Marine Corps and for the rest of his life could often be seen wearing a something with a Marine logo. He had the pleasure of being part of an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2013. The veterans were able to visit the World War II Memorial. Especially meaningful for the few Marines on the trip, the last stop of the 3-day Honor Flight experience was a visit to the Iwo Jima Memorial. Semper Fidelis.
Upon returning home after the war, Chris went to work at Alvine Dairy. There he met Pauline Kelly. They married November 15, 1947. Pauline died in 2007, just months shy of their 60th wedding anniversary.
Chris joined the Kansas City, Kansas police department in 1958 and remained on the force until his retirement in 1992.
After his retirement from the KCKPD he continued to do security work. People might remember seeing him as a security guard at Montgomery Ward, J.C. Penney, or Commercial National Bank. The security job he enjoyed most was his work for the International Boilermakers at the Brotherhood Building at 8th and Minnesota Avenue. Chris was a security guard there for decades, only stepping back at the beginning of last year. His second family at the Brotherhood Building meant the world to Chris.
Chris always wanted to be out and about among people. For several years he met a group of friends practically every night at the McDonald’s at the Legends. He liked sitting in the Food Court area of Sam’s with his son enjoying a hot dog and watching people. He often accompanied his son, Chris, Jr., on house showings Chris might be doing as part of his real estate business. Chris, Jr.’s clients enjoyed his company and many considered him an “honorary real estate agent.”
Chris was a lifelong member of St. Dionysios Greek Orthodox Church. He had many friends at the Church and looked forward to attending every week. He was always anxious to help with the annual St. Dionysios Greek Festival. He was often heard to say “I love my Church.” He did.
Chris is survived by his three children: George Karnaze (Etta) of Louisburg, Kansas; Terry Karnaze of Kansas City, Kansas; and Chris Karnaze, Jr. of Fairway, Kansas; his sister, Ethel Karnaze of Overland Park, Kansas. He delighted in his two grandchildren, Chris Karnaze of Mission, Kansas and Kelly Wilkerson (Brett) of Olathe, Kansas. His greatest joy for the last four years was his great-granddaughter, Emma Pauline Wilkerson. Emma never failed to bring a huge smile to his face.
There will be two visitations. Monday, January 18, 2021 from 4-6 pm at Porter Funeral Home, 1835 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas. A second visitation opportunity will be Tuesday, January 19, 2021 from 10-11am at St. Dionysios Greek Orthodox Church, 8100 W. 95th St., Overland Park, Ks, followed immediately by the funeral service at 11:00 am.
Covid has made funeral observances difficult. We wanted to have visitations and a funeral service to give people an opportunity to pay their respects and spend a few minutes with Chris one last time. We completely understand that many of you who would otherwise come to a visitation or the funeral feel that you must stay away out of Covid concerns. The funeral service will be live streamed on the St. Dionysios website, st.dionysios.org.
Private Interment at Gate of Heaven Mausoleum will follow.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the St. Dionysios Memorial Trust Foundation. Contributions can be sent to: St. Dionysios Greek Orthodox Church. 8100 W. 95th St. Overland Park, KS 66212.