James Edward “Ed” Karnes

James Edward “Ed” Karnes, 95, of Thaxton, Virginia, passed away on June 23, 2025. He was born on March 24, 1930, in Bedford, Virginia, a son of the late Coy Gordon Karnes and Berta Witt Karnes. In addition to his parents, Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Erna Hohmann Karnes; brother, W. Kenneth Karnes; sisters, Margaret M. Karnes and Evelyn Obenchain.

Ed was a retired Master SGT U.S. Army having served proudly for 22 years. He served in the occupation of Germany and in the 7th infantry division on the DMZ in Korea and also served in the Vietnam War. After his retirement from the service, he was employed by the city of Bedford as a police dispatcher and meter reader. Ed graduated from Virginia Western Community College with a certificate in air conditioning and refrigeration and ran his own business for about seven years. After giving up his business, he moved to Flowery Branch, Georgia where he worked for the U.S. postal service for about ten years. Ed enjoyed gardening, bowling, and crossword puzzles.

Ed is survived by his son, Frank Gordon Karnes; sister, Mary “Dot” Childress; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family.

For those wishing to make memorial contributions in Ed’s memory please consider National D-Day Memorial.

A Funeral service will be conducted on Friday, June 27, 2025, at 11:00 am at Tharp Funeral Home Chapel, Bedford with Michael Turner officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service also at Tharp Funeral Home Chapel, Bedford

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford is assisting the family.