Jerome Roy Karnofski

August 14, 1925 -- November 13, 2023

Jerry Karnofski, of Edmonds, slipped quietly away at 98 on November 13, by his fireplace with his cats by his side. A perfect ending to a full life. Born in 1925 in Brainerd, Minnesota to Polish Catholic parents, he was the sixth child of eight. They moved to Longview where he excelled in sports at a young age. He became an All-American athlete at R.A. Long lettering in football, basketball, and baseball. In 1943, he joined the Army Air Corps and returned in 1946 to marry his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Weston. They settled in Bellingham where he attended Western, played football, and started his family. In 1950, they moved to Edmonds for a teaching and coaching job at Edmonds High School. He earned his master's degree at the University of Washington and moved into school administration in 1964. The highlight of his career was opening Lynnwood High School as Principal and was voted by his teachers as Outstanding Educator in the State of Washington. Jerry was a community leader, helping start the Little League and Boys and Girls Club programs in Edmonds. In 1988 he retired and began to travel the world with his wife Marilee and enjoy his beautiful gardens. For 73 years he watched the sun go down across Puget Sound and never tired of it. He is survived by his brother Ray, his children, Nan, Rebecca and Mark, Mark's wife Caren, granddaughters, Rachal and Bex, his stepdaughter Lori and his four step grandchildren Jesse, Leah, Brooke and Michaela. Our family invites you to his Celebration of Life on February 8 at 1pm at Purdy & Walters Floral Hills in Lynnwood.

Published by The Herald (Everett) from Jan. 9 to Jan. 10, 2024.

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Jerome Roy Karnofski of Edmonds, Washington, who passed away on November 13, 2023, at the age of 98. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.floralhillslynnwood.com for the Karnofski family.

Memories can be shared with MHS '66 classmates in the "Post Comments" link, below. When a full obituary is available, it will be posted here.

Pictured below, Mr. Karnofski at age 96, pumping iron at the Edmonds Harbor Square Athletic Center. For the full interview with him, check out this link: https://myedmondsnews.com/2021/08/edmonds-jerry-karnofski-age-96-and-still-pumping-iron/

Photo: My Edmonds News, August 12, 2021