Former State Senator, Karen Johnson Gendron, 81, of Inverness, Florida, died on April 19, 2025. A State Senator and lifelong advocate for education and community, she was born November 16, 1943, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Karen spent her early years in Fort Lauderdale before moving to Inverness in 1974, where she raised her family and built a lasting legacy of service.
Karen served on the Citrus County School Board from 1982 to 1992 and in the Florida Senate from 1992 to 1996, championing education reform, children’s welfare, and community growth. She was honored as “Legislator of the Year” by the Florida School Boards Association for her work.
Family was the center of Karen’s life. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. In her later years, she had a passion for antiques and could often be found working in her antique booths or traveling the East Coast looking for good deals.
Karen is survived by her loving husband, Rene Gendron; her three children, Greg Johnson (Donna), Teri Johnson (Lyndell), and Connie Fairchild (Damon); seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Davis Funeral Home in Inverness, Florida. Friends and family are welcome to come at any time during the gathering to pay their respects. A celebration of life will immediately follow at Hippy Hollow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either C.A.S.A., or the Florida Cancer center.
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