Karen and Don Sproles at Dogwood After Dark party in March of this year
Don Sproles, the gentle guy who gave up his career as a lawyer to join his wife, Karen, in running a successful Knoxville restaurant business, was remembered in a memorial service yesterday at the Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan. So many people came to pay their last respects that they had to bring in chairs when there was no longer any room to sit in the pews. And still many folks had to stand against the walls of the sanctuary for the nearly two-hour service.
Ginny Weatherstone, director of the Volunteer Ministry Center on whose board Sproles served for many years, including a stint as chairman, eulogized Sproles as someone who truly loved people. She said for 21 years, once a month, he would come to the Center and serve meals to people. “He knew our staff and clients by name,” she said. But she added that Sproles felt equally at home with his friends at tony Cherokee Country Club. “They say that people will forget what you say and they’ll forget what you do,” Weatherstone said. “But they’ll never forget how you made them feel. And Don made people feel special.”
Don and Karen at the Artscapes preview at the Knoxville Museum of Art in September 2011. Behind them is a painting by Karen's daughter, Lauren Karnitz.
It’s true that Sproles did that every day at the downtown locations of The Lunchbox, the popular eatery which he owned with his wife. He loved to talk politics and courthouse gossip with his customers, first at the location in First Tennessee Plaza, and later at the new spot at 607 Market Street. We at Moxley Carmichael consider The Lunchbox to sort of be our company cafeteria because we eat there so much, having been located ourselves in First Tennessee Plaza and now being located just a couple of blocks from the Market Street location.
Don’s older step-daughter, Lauren Karnitz, spoke at the service Monday about how Sproles accepted “the package deal” when he married her mother 30 years ago — in the process he also got two step-daughters and “an oversized shih tzu.” Later, he and Karen would have a son together, Matthew.
Karnitz said she was particularly impressed with the way Sproles handled his political campaign when he ran unsuccessfully for Knox County Commission in 2008. “He lost the political battle, but he won the bigger war,” she said. “He ran with dignity and integrity. He made us so proud. He made me, a political cynic, believe.” Sproles’ opponent in that race, Dr. Richard Briggs, attended the memorial service with his wife, Stephanie. I stood in line with them and Briggs recalled what a high-road campaign the two of them conducted. “Either one of us would have done a great job for the constituents of the district,” Briggs said. “Don was a great guy.”
The Rev. Cal Calhoun said that Sproles “found his purpose in serving others,” including his church, where he held many leadership roles. Calhoun praised Sproles’ “generosity, kindness, love and deep concern for others.” Calhoun said Sproles “was blessed and he knew it.” He was extremely grateful for his life, Calhoun said.
“Don died too early,” Calhoun said. “This broken, hurting world could have used another 20 years of Don Sproles.”
I loved the way Calhoun ended his eulogy. “If there is a banquet table in heaven, if Don has his way, there will be fabulous food on it — and even better wine! And if Don has his way, Don will be serving.”
Amen.
Don loved to be on The Blue Streak. Since we have a party every year for folks who are on The Blue Streak the most, last year we decided to have it at The Lunchbox. Here's Don, left, with Allison Burchett and Bill Lyons at that party last September.
Here are Don and Karen at the Dogwood After Dark party in April of 2011. It was held at Latitude 35.
Here are Don and Karen along with Steve Seifried at Moxley Carmichael's client party in our offices in the Miller's Building in February of 2011.
All those photos of Don and Karen brought back so many happy memories and brought tears to my eyes once again. Thanks for posting this tribute to Don.
Cynthia: This was very nice…..made me sad all over again. Bruce and I loved Don alot. Don and Bruce were in law school together and we were at Don and Karen’s wedding. It was at the same church. Don will be missed.
I go back to the days when the LunchBox was located across from the City County Building. It was much smaller then, and you had to get there early for lunch! But through all these years that I have known Don and Karen, they have always been wonderful people. You are so right that we could have used another 20 years (or more) of Don Sproles. Although I could not attend the service, Don’s family has been in my prayers. Our community has lost one of the best people around. Loved seeing the great photos of such a great couple. Thanks for the fine tribute to an eminently fine person.
Great memorial for Don. He was a great guy, very genuine. Everyone liked him. Like me, I know the other regulars at the Lunch Box will miss him very much. He and Karen made a great team.
I remember how surprised I was when Don left the practice of law and went to work with Karen in the business. I also remember feeling proud of him for stepping into something he loved so much more. A poet once said, “There are men too gentle to live among wolves,” and Don was one of those men. As I think about all of us who were around at that time, all those decades ago, I am saddened by how quickly the time has gone by. Don lived an exemplary, enterprising, entrepreneurial life that I will forever admire. Thanks for such a loving tribute.
Everything I heard at the service and everything in your tribute reminds me what a good person Don was. I will miss him!
Got to know Don in law school. Knew Karen before they married. They were great partners – in all ways. Don will be missed when I return to K-town later this month and visit The Lunch Box. Thank you for sharing the pictures and about the Memorial Service for those of us who could not be there. Condolences to Karen and all the family.
I am so sad. I knew Don at Norton and Luhn in the late 80’s and had the privilege of calling him friend for years. My hubby and I looked at Karen and Don’s house years ago where I had the privilege of getting to know Karen. I thnk so highly of them both…please send my deepest sympathy and ardent prayers for their family.
Hey, everybody: I am so sad about Don. But it has been very comforting to me to read your remarks here. I know they will mean a lot to Karen, too. Thanks so much for sharing.
Cynthia, Thanks for the wonderful tribute to Don on Blue Streak. My sympathy to Don, Karen, the kids, and all the gang at the Lunchbox who have worked with Don and Karen for so long. Don’s friendly face and the attention to business he instilled in all who worked with him is what kept me a loyal customer for all these years. I will miss him greatly.
Don and Karen have been wonderful in downtown life but they also played a role in our daughter’s wedding at their former home in White Pine. I’ve never forgotten their gracious assistance while planning the wedding at Fairfax.
I always thought he was a special person simply by joining Karen in bringing her and then their dream of the Lunch Box to such successful growth.
Don was one of the good ones.
Amen to all that’s been said so far. Thanks, Cynthia, for highlighting all the memorable words said at Don’s service and sharing with all of us.
He “is” a beautiful person and made everybody better for having knowm him.
Cynthia, wonderful tribute to Don. I first knew Karen in the mid ’75 through our Tuesday Evening Women’s Group @ St John’s. Then loved going to the original Lunch Box, and watching with a grin when Don started working the register. I was a regular for years at the counter at The Lunch Box and Don was aways just like the bartender at Cheers. Our community really lost a good guy. My prayers to the entire family, including the Lunch Box Family.
Cynthia, thank you so much for this tribute to Don. He really was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. My heart goes out to Karen, Lauren and the rest of his family and friends. He was well loved and will be sorely missed.
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