Gary Karnes

Gary Karnes passed away peacefully on Oct. 25, 2023, with his loving partner Heidi Feldman and her daughter Julia Triplett at his side, after a courageous attempt to overcome prostate cancer. We want to thank all who were part of Gary's health journey, including Dr. Katrina Fischer, the CHOMP physical therapy unit, VNA/ Hospice staff, and caretaker Reyna Carrillo and her team. Gary left us his obituary written in his own words; he was always planning and thinking ahead.Gary was born to Eva and Wilbur Karnes in 1947 in Vallejo, CA, and walked his first precinct when he was 13 for John Kennedy. His father worked at Mare Island Naval Shipyard for 34 years. Gary graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 1969 and moved to Salinas in 1970. Gary immediately became involved in the 1970 Strike, one of the largest labor strikes in California history. Gary worked in lettuce, celery and broccoli in the 1970s and was a UFW member.In 1970, Gary refused induction into the military during the Vietnam War. Charges were dropped when the 9th Circuit Court found that the draft board had erred and should have granted Conscientious Objector status. He was co-founder of the Peace Center in Salinas in the McDougall Bldg, in 1971 and spent two years serving his country by fighting against the war and offering men draft and G.I. counseling. Gary worked for Land Watch, YMCA, CHISPA, In Home Support Services, the Salinas Union High School District, Neighborhood Youth Corps, as a V.I.S.T.A. volunteer, Monterey County Housing Coalition, various labor unions, including the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council and managed/organized 70 election campaigns for Democratic candidates, Democratic voter registration drives and for numerous public benefit, public school and municipal bond campaigns.Gary came to Salinas to change the world, and did so, but was changed in the process. Gary was pleased to work with good friends Bill Monning and Dana Kent over the years and worked on all of Bill's campaigns. Gary also kept his deep friendship over the decades with UCSC fellow students Sam Benowitz and Michael Kagan. Gary lived with dogs most of his life, most notably Whizzer and Sam, good canine companions sharing the good air and long hikes.Gary was a lover of the Baja Peninsula in Mexico and has written many short tales of the experience along that long stretch of open road and the many cacti and people that populated that intriguing, wonderful space. Ever the cosmic comic, Gary kept looking for intelligent life in the universe between Ol Man Cactus, the Cardon and the Boojum. Gary often couldn't wait to get there after a November election campaign with Susan, Nick and Geneva; with Heidi or by himself. Gary especially enjoyed visiting their place outside San Jose del Cabo.Gary was elected to the Alisal Union School District in 1997 and re-elected 3 times (13 years). In 2015, Karen Araujo, Juan Martinez and Gary wrote a book of local oral histories of activists and organizers, entitled Voices of Change. Gary's first book was The Politics of Salinas, self-published in 1979. Gary's most recent book is Along Came the Whirlwind: A Tale Worth Telling - My 40 Years in Salinas.Gary has two grown children, Nick and Geneva (with Susan Ardisson) and a newborn grandson Josiah (Geneva and Alfred Chavez) and three granddaughters: Keanna (Amanda Plese), Vivien and Romy (Julia and Matt Triplett). He lived with his loving partner, Heidi Feldman in Pacific Grove. Gary's sister Vicki lives with her partner Beth in Decatur, Georgia. Como Siempre-Paz, Justicia y Dignidad. Donations may be sent to the People's Oral History Project PO Box 442, Salinas, CA 93902 to promote the extensive history of local activism. iViva la Causa!