John C. Knowles

1915 - 2011

The Rev. John C. Knowles passed away peacefully at the age of 96 in Denton on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. Memorial service: 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, at First Christian Church, 1203 Fulton St., Denton, 940-566-4990. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, and in honor of two of John's great passions in life, the family asks that donations be made to the Texas Christian University Frog Club (athletics) and Brite Divinity School: TCU, Box 297044, Fort Worth, Texas 76129. He was born in North Platte, Neb., on Feb. 2, 1915, to the Rev. Harry Goodwin Knowles and Lavinia Cox Knowles. The Rev. Knowles graduated from Texas Christian University in 1936. In 1957, TCU awarded him an honorary doctor of divinity. He followed his father as minister of First Christian Church, Houston. Beginning in 1962, he served as director of church relations at Texas Christian University, Fort Worth. Before retiring, he served as Hi-Plains Area Minister for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Amarillo. Throughout his life, John was a participant and a fan of athletics. He won statewide awards in swimming and diving. He was student manager for the 1934 Texas Christian University varsity football team. A devoted family man, John documented the lives of his extended family through his photographs, movies and writing. He loved music, sang in college choir, collected recordings, and attended concerts. John was preceded in death by his siblings, Edward Knowles, Margaret Knowles Faust, Harry G. Knowles Jr., Harriett Knowles Rogers. Survivors: The Rev. Knowles is survived by his wife of 72 years, Erna Johanna Koberling Knowles of Denton; three sons, John Knowles Jr. and spouse, Becky, of Nashville, Tenn., Jim Knowles and spouse, Betty Lou, of Denton, David Knowles of Reno, Nev.; grandchildren, Terry Knowles of Irving, Jay Knowles and spouse, Catherine, of Nashville, Tenn., Tommy Knowles and spouse, Mende, of Keller, Tim Knowles of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Lonnie Melott and partner, Dennis Dean, of Dallas, Amy Knowles and spouse, Adam Papendieck, of New Orleans, La., Lucas Melott and spouse, Ashley, of Roanoke, Paul Knowles of Steamboat Springs, Colo.; great-grandchildren, Caroline Knowles, Jack Knowles, Parker Knowles, Henry Knowles, Campbell Melott, Caiden Melott, Margot Papendieck; brother-in-law, Red Rogers of Kingwood; nieces and nephews, Jane Bonin of Washington, D.C., John Knowles Faust of Glen Rose, Joann Koberling Swatty of Cibolo, Jeannie Koberling Garbarino of Deer Park, N.Y., Rebecka Rogers Keen of Kingwood, Katherine Rogers Gould of Johnson City, Judy Rogers Jonas of Austin, Harry G. Knowles III, Bill Knowles, Tommy Knowles; great-nieces and great-nephews, Margaret Knowles Bonin Harper, William Oliver Bonin, Linda Blasingame, Sharon Skaar, Stefanie Marquez, Dana Danz, Allison Nash, Joann Garbarino, Gina D'Elia, Amy Rudzinski, Barbara Van Isem, Michael Garbarino.