Russell Brevard Knox

Russell Brevard Knox, of Davidson, died November 14, 2002 after a long battle with Parkinson's and Shy-Drager Disease. He was at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center surrounded by his family.
A service in celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, November 17, 2002 at 3:00 PM at Davidson College Presbyterian Church in Davidson, NC, with Dr. Allen Brindisi and the Reverend J. E. Wayland, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in the Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Cornelius. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 7-9 PM at Raymer Funeral Home in Huntersville.
Born and raised on a farm two miles east of Davidson, Russell was the son of the late Ralph Brevard Knox and Annie Barkley Knox. He graduated from Davidson High School and was attending Davidson College when he was drafted into service during the Korean conflict. After returning from service he entered Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC where he graduated in 1958.
After college he returned to Davidson to begin his career. he became involved in the financial industry working for Redisco, Inc., a financial subsidiary of Chrysler Corporation and later in banking with Piedmont Bank and Trust (First Union). He was Vice President and City Executive of the Davidson Office and stayed in this position until he joined his wife at Knox Realty in 1976 on Main Street, Davidson, NC.
Russell grew up in a political family and after moving back to Davidson one of his interests was trying to keep Davidson the wonderful place he had known as a child. With changes on the horizon, he decided to run for Town Board and was elected in 1977. He served in an elected capacity for 20 years - 14 of those years as Mayor of Davidson. During this time he tried to foster good working relations between the Town and the College. He was most proud of the work the two did together to keep the library in the Town of Davidson and the new facility which was built. Another joint venture in which he was influential was the saving of "Beaver Dam', the historic property east of town which all citizens can now enjoy.
Russell always had an interest in saving old buildings of Davidson such as those on Main Street. As they became available to buy, he bought and refurbished them and recruited retail to occupy most of them, reserving one building for his own business.
Under Russell's term as Mayor, he was influential in many areas: A New Town Hall was built, a walking mall was created behind the Main Street buildings, Ada Jenkins Center was kept open and occupied until funding could be found to improve the facility, and he was instrumental in keeping Davidson Elementary School in the Town of Davidson.
Russell was an avid supporter of Davidson College. He was a 20-year underwriter for WDAV, a member of the Ne Ultra Society, supported Friends of the Arts, and Davidson College Athletics, serving on the Wildcat Board of Directors.
As a member of the Davidson Lions Club for years, he received the Melvin Jones Fellow award in 1998. He was an active participant in the planning stages of The Pines Retirement Center in Davidson, and served on the initial Board of Directors. He also served on the initial board of the North Mecklenburg YMCA helping to establish that facility in the Davidson/Cornelius area.
He served on the Board of Directors of the Cannon School in Concord, and was on the Board of Visitors at Presbyterian College.
While in elected office, he served as Chairman of the Mecklenburg County Police Civil Service Board and for some years was Chairman of the Mecklenburg/Union County Metropolitan Planning Oraganization.
As a member of Davidson College Presbyterian Church he served as both Deacon and Elder.
Russell is survived by his wife of 46 years, Patricia T. Knox; his three sons, Russell B. Knox, Jr., Douglas J. Knox and wife, Terilynne Muehleisen, Michael G. Knox; one daughter, Elizabeth Knox Sullivan and husband, Skip Sullivan; grandchildren, Russell B. Knox, III, J. Tyler Knox, Tucker Benfer Knox, Sarah Barkley Sullivan, Lucas Alexander Sullivan, Raleigh Christian Knox, Emily Rose Knox, Joseph Jackson Knox and August Hauer Knox; brothers, Joe Knox and wife, Lib, of Mooresville, Charles E. Knox and wife, Montye, of Charlotte, Ray Knox and wife, Frances, of Davidson and Edward Knox and wife, Frances, of Cornelius; sisters, Lane Knox Yorke of Rock Hill, SC and Gladys Knox Heath of Charlotte; sister-in-law, Mary Parks Knox of Lake Norman; and brother-in-law, J. Stan Tucker of New York and London, England. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother, Ralph Carson Knox.
The family wishes to thank Russell's personal caretakers Mamie Frayer Palmore, Carrie Knox, and BeBe Bullard for the compassionate care given to Russell during his illness. Also thanks to Lake Norman Regional Hospital Critical Care Unit and a special thanks to Dr. Ron Beamon, his faithful family physician and friend.
Russell will always be remembered as a person of great courage and dignity with a passion for life and people. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, public servant and friend.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Pines Residents Support Fund, 400 Avinger Lange, Davidson, NC 28036, Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery fund, 19920 Bethel Church Road, Cornelius, NC 28031 or the National Parkinson's Foundation, 1501 N.W. 9th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136-1494.
Arrangements are in the care of Raymer Funeral Home.