Teddy J. 'Ted' Karnes

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Teddy J. "Ted" Karnes, 50, passed away Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, in Port Charlotte, Fla. He was born on March 22, 1958, in Gary, Ind., moving to Florida 29 years ago. He lived in Palm Harbor, Fort Myers and Naples, Fla., and for the past seven years had lived in Lake Suzy, Fla.

Ted was a wonderful husband and father. He loved life and knew how precious each day and memory he created was. He was an avid Cubs fan, never missing a game. Living on the Peace River, he enjoyed fishing from the dock, or a steamboat ride upriver. Ted spent his working career in the automobile industry, in which he worked for Germain in Naples, Fla., Palm Auto Group in Punta Gorda, Fla., and lastly his own vintage auto dealership, Heritage Auto and Truck Corporation in Punta Gorda, Fla.

Ted loved to travel every chance he had, and loved to play jokes on family and friends. He called it "putting you together." He loved his dogs, which were "his girls" -- Zoe, Gabby and Marley. He was of the Protestant faith and truly loved the Lord before his journey home.

He is survived by his wife and soul mate, Allyson Ponger Karnes, Arcadia, Fla.; four sons, Michael A. (Desiree) Karnes, North Port, Fla., Steven (Michael) Karnes, Phoenix City, Ala., Donald R. Karnes, Arcadia, Fla., and Erik J. (Alison) Sheridan of Port Charlotte, Fla.; one daughter, Jacquelyn P. (Michael) Leavell, Arcadia, Fla.; his father, Ronald (Eleanora) Karnes, Raleigh; one brother, Alan (Darla) Karnes of Carbondale; two sisters, Brenda (Wayne) Hall of Nashville, Tenn., and Darlene (Bob) Clarida, Galatia; one granddaughter, Savannah Karnes, Stafford, Va.; his in-laws, Edward and Joyce Ponger of Port Charlotte, Fla.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by a son, Anthony Karnes; and his mother, Rosaline Karnes.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 27200 Jones Loop Road, Punta Gorda, Fla., with Rev. Jimmy Collins of the Church of God, Fort Ogden, officiating. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, 2008, at the chapel of Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, 50 N. Hillsborough Ave., Arcadia, Fla.

Online condolences may be made at pongerkaysgrady.com.