More detail on this person: Steven Clifford
Karas, 60, of Soddy-Daisy, died on Wednesday,
December 17, 2008 at a local hospital.
Mr. Karas was a 1966 graduate of Brainerd High
School. He entered the Army in 1967 and served
his Country until 1971. He went to Helicopter
Pilot School at Hunter AAF, Ga., from 1969 -1970.
He served as a combat pilot in Vietnam where he
flew search and rescue missions and transported
troops to and from combat zones. He was awarded
the Distinguished Flying Cross, Valorous Unit
Award, Air Medal, and Bronze Star.
After his military service he entered the
Chattanooga Police Department in 1972. During his
tenure with the Police Department he flew one of
the first helicopters the city had in service. He
retired from the Police Department in 1998 and
started a second career with the Tennessee
Department of Transportation and continued to work
there until his time of death.
He also served as an instructor pilot in the
Tennessee National Guard 278th ACR from
1986-1993.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents,
Caroline and Frank Karas; Fern and Eugene
Mathis; and father, Donald Larry Karas.
Survivors include his two sons, Dustin Karas,
Kevin Karas; daughter-in-law, Stacy Karas; mother,
Robertine Vorwerk; stepfather, Richard Vorwerk;
sister, Cathy Faulkner; brother-in-law, Pete
Faulkner; nephew, Eric Faulkner, and Janet
Karas.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on
Monday, at the North Chapel with Pastor Seton
Tomyn officiating.
Interment will follow at Chattanooga National
Cemetery with military honors.
The family will receive friends for visitation
from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, and from 10 a.m. until
the time of the service on Monday at the North
Chapel.
Please share your thoughts and memories at
Mem.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations
in memory of Mr. Karas to the
Chattanooga-Hamilton County Animal Shelter.
Arrangements are made by the North Chapel of
Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist,
5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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