October 17, 1930 - January 30, 2022
The services Celebrating and honoring the life of Donald Clark Karns, M.D., 91, of Enid, will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 7th, 2022, in the First United Methodist Church, Enid, Oklahoma, with Pastor Devon Krause officiating, burial will follow in the I.O.O.F Cemetery, Watonga, Oklahoma. A Family visitation will be held from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. Sunday, February 6, 2022, in the Brown-Cummings Funeral Home. Services are under the direction of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home.
Donald Clark Karns, M.D. was born October 17, 1930, in Fay, Oklahoma and died January 30, 2022, in Enid, Oklahoma. He was the son of Donald Page Karns and Gertrude Gladys Woolley Karns. William Theron Karns and Dora Dell Karns were older siblings, Tommy Kelly Bacon Karns was his younger brother and lifelong best friend. The family moved to Watonga, Oklahoma in 1931. Don Attended Watonga public schools and graduated from high school in 1948. He started band in the fifth grade as a trumpet player and played taps at many funerals. He was an award-winning soloist, sang in the glee club, mixed chorus and boy’s quartet. He even sang in the men’s chorus in medical school. He was very proud of being an eagle scout and did many boy scout physicals in Enid. He attended Oklahoma City University on a trumpet scholarship 1948-49. Don joined the Oklahoma National Guard, 45th Infantry Division National Guard which was activated for the Korean War. He served on the front lines. Before he left for Korea, he and Leila Lorene Zimmerman were married December 22, 1950, in her parent’s home in Watonga, Oklahoma. While serving as an Infantry SSgt in Korea his son James Michael Karns was born in Watonga in 1951. Upon his return from Korea Don relisted in the Oklahoma National Guard and received a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was discharged in May 1952. Don entered Southwestern State College and received a BS in Pharmacy. During this time Carrie Elizabeth Karns was born in Watonga in 1953. The family moved to Littlefield, Texas where he worked as a pharmacist for a year and Kathryn Jane Karns was born in 1956. Don then entered OU Medical School in Oklahoma City graduating in May of 1960. The family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he completed his internship and residency at St. John’s Hospital. The family then moved to Laverne, Oklahoma where he and classmate Dr. Leo Meece set up a private practice and built the hospital. Daughter Margaret Ann Karns was born in Laverne in 1964. In 1971 the family moved to Enid, Oklahoma where Don became a Diplomat in the American Board of Family Practice and was principal in starting the Family Practice Residency Program with the OU School of Medicine serving as an associate professor. He was active in the OU Medical Alumni Association and served as president 1987-88. He served on the board of the Garfield County Health Department for many years. Don retired from private practice in 1995 but continued to work part-time at the Minor Emergency Clinic and provided relief at the Dexeus Oncology Clinic until his eyesight prevented him from practicing. His wife Lorene died June 11, 2001, soon after their 50th wedding anniversary. On May 8, 2003, he married Sharon Perkins Bragg in Enid, Oklahoma.
Don didn’t have a lot of time to pursue many hobbies. He was a lifetime member of the Methodist church and enjoyed singing in the choir. He served on many boards and went on several medical mission trips. He enjoyed reading, particularly biographies and history and listening to music. He was an authority on the life and writings of Winston Churchill. He enjoyed traveling and spending time at the lake water skiing with his children. His medical practice was somewhat explained when one member of the family was told by an older noted physician “I hope you and your family are aware of the reputation and abilities of Don as a doctor. He is loved by his patients; he is loved by the nurses, and he is loved by the doctors. He is the doctor we all aspire to be.”
Dr. Karns is survived by his wife Sharon of the home, his son Mike (Kay) of Gainesville, Texas, daughters Carrie Shreck (Dr. Ron) of Ft. Worth, Texas, Margaret Hosier (Dr. Mike) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; six grandchildren; seven great grandchildren and one brother Tom Karns, PhD of Norman, Oklahoma.
He was preceded in death by his first wife Lorene Zimmerman Karns and one daughter Kathryn Karns Oden.
Memorials may be made in his honor to the First United Methodist Church, Enid, Oklahoma with Brown-Cummings serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made to the family online at www.Brown-Cummings.com. As one of Oklahomaʼs oldest single family owned and operated providers of funerals and cremations, Brown-Cummings is the name families have turned to for generations. They fully understand the honor and responsibility entrusted to them to preserve the story of oneʼs life. Visit 400 W. Maple, Enid, OK 73701. Call: (580) 237-5432.
Obituaries are posted, in part, due to the generosity of The Commons.
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