Obituaries

JAMES L. Knox Jr.

Photo of JAMES  L.  Knox Jr.
James L. Knox, Jr, 82, of Atlanta, Texas, died Thursday, September 9, 2021, in Texarkana, Texas, St. Michael Hospital from complications of the COVID virus. He was born on January 25, 1939 in Idabel, Oklahoma to James Leroy Knox, Sr. and Olean Anderson Knox. James graduated from Atlanta High in the class of 1957 where he played the bass drum in the marching band and drum set in the stage band. After graduation of high school he pursued a career in drafting at Fort Worth drafting school where he met his future wife, Molly. After a year they were engaged, planning a future together. On June 27, 1959, they were married. When he finished his drafting courses he returned to Atlanta to work for the Texas Department of Transportation at the District office. He retired from this job after 30 years as a draftsman and engineering assistant. James has also served his country in the National Guard, called out for active duty to Fort Polk during the Cuban crisis. After a brief break from the military, he joined the Marine Corp Reserves serving in the artillery fire direction center, and later as survey officer. He retired from the military with the rank of Warrant Officer 4 and 30 years of service. James was always a hard worker as he built a Land Surveying company post his retirements and always said he would work until his death. He passed this great work ethic to his children and to all who knew him. Everyone who knew him has heard some of his "sayings". If you told him his eyes looked red, he would answer with- "if you think they look red from your side, you ought to see them from my side!" His favorite was-"if you don't go you can't come back!" He enjoyed going deer hunting with his brother-n-law, Jim. He loved playing cards and visiting with family, had a great knowledge and love for air planes (wanting to be a pilot in the military) and the history and preservation of Native American artifacts. The same great knowledge and loved was applied to his hobbies and many other interests. He was an avid reader. He was a member of the Atlanta, Texas Church of Christ where he was song leader and served as a deacon and had a great knowledge of the bible. James was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. James is survived by his loving and faithful, wife Molly Ann; daughter Lori Jill Williams; son Robert Wayne Knox and wife, Trang; grandsons, Bobby Hudson, Robert Taylor Knox, and Dylan Williams; granddaughters, Jennifer Knox, Katherine Knox King, Emily Knox Brens, and Emma Ann Jackson; great-grandchildren, Beatrix, Jaxon, and Caroline Hudson, and Magnolia King; brother John Knox and wife, Sue of Jeffersonton, Virginia; sister-in-law, Barbara Knox of Beaumont, Texas; sister-in-law, Suzy Gill of Oregon, brother-in-law, Jim Taylor and wife Jan of Bastrop, Texas; sister-in-law, Nancy McDonald and husband Bill of Amarillo, Texas; several Knox cousins and many friends. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Kristy Ann Jackson; his parents, Jim and Olean Knox, and his brother, Michael Knox. A gathering of Mr. Knox's family and friends will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Thursday, September 16, 2021, at Hanner Funeral Service. Funeral services will be at the Atlanta Church of Christ at 10:00 am, on Friday, September 17, 2021. Burial and graveside service will be at the Smyrna Cemetery immediately following. The family would like to acknowledge the staff of the St. Michael Hospital, Texarkana, ICU COVID Unit for the compassionate loving tender care shown Molly while James was sick. Thanks especially to Ashley Gunter, Ashley, Lauri, Cassie, and Dr. Craytor. Guest registry is available at www.hannerfuneralservice.com.

Published September 16, 2021

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