Karn, John Franklin

John Franklin Karn, 64, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Monday, Dec. 13, 2010, at the University of Iowa Hospitas and Clinics following complications from open heart surgery. Visitation: 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. Memorial Services: 3 p.m. Jan. 8, 2011, at Peoples Church Unitarian Universalist, Cedar Rapids.

John is survived by his husband, Tony Browning of Cedar Rapids; his sister and brother-in-law, Pat and Ron Doncavage of Bloomington, Minn.; and nephews, Todd (Jackie) Doncavage and their children, Evie and Henry, and Kent (Heather) Doncavage and their children, Franklin and Lewis.

John is also survived by his stepmother, Lois Karn of Spearfish, S.D.; aunts, uncles, and a number of cousins in various states.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Evy Karn of Belfast, N.Y.

John came to Cedar Rapids in 1986, as the first executive director of the Science Station, a position he held until 1995, when he joined the private sector until his retirement in 2008. John was an active member in Peoples Church Unitarian Universalists, including serving as membership director for several years. John was also active in the community as past president of the Cedar Rapids Gay and Lesbian Resource Center (GLRC) and past executive board member and treasurer for the Iowa Abortion Aid Fund (IAAF). John was a volunteer with One Iowa in the pursuit of marriage equality.

John's passion was singing and performing in the theatre, having participated in a number of productions at Theatre Cedar Rapids, as well as singing with the choir at Peoples Church and The Quire in Iowa City. His beautiful tenor voice will be missed by many.

Instead of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in John's name to One Iowa,

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