John Arnt Knudsen

1945 - 2018

John Arnt Knudsen
December 7, 1945 to May 4, 2018
John passed away after a 10-year valiant fight with ALS. He peacefully passed away in his home with his loving wife Nancy and faithful puppy, Missy Blue by his side.
John was born in Seattle, Washington. His parents moved to Anchorage, Alaska when John was five years old. This began his true Alaskan journey. After graduating from west high school in 1965, he joined the Navy and went to Vietnam. Upon his return from tour of Vietnam in 1976, he moved back to Alaska and became a "Brown Shirt" state trooper - badge number 29. He eventually became a trooper pilot. He often exclaimed he was the luckiest man in the world to be paid for doing what he loved.
His last post was Nome, Alaska from 1980 to 1991. He was from Mason and from Shriner. He married Nancy Bennett in 1983. After he retired, he moved to Nancy's original home town, Lowman, Idaho.
Other than Nancy, his true love was flying. His passion was firearms, collecting, shooting and repairing. Of his many interests were technology and music. He played the fiddle, mandolin, guitar, steel guitar and many other instruments. He also enjoyed many years on the ski slope as a ski instructor and after moving to Lowman, he kept busy building wooden boats, his log home on the river, and living life to the fullest with his wife, Nancy, in the beautiful Idaho countryside.
Thanks to Rob, he volunteered with the Department of Fish and Game, and one year was awarded 'volunteer of the year'. He learned new trades with Denny D., building walls and fireplaces, and became a die-hard Bronco fan. His last project was getting the State of Idaho to pass the 'Right-to-Try' Bill. We were proud of his effort in this endeavor.
He was blessed to have many friends that helped him with this battle. His family thanks them all, including Dave Lank, Randy and Janice, Mary Lou Porter, Bonnie and Kevin, Jim and Jackie (the KFC couple), Pam and Mark, Jodi, Michael, Rex and Susie, and all the fellow troopers and friends. Trish, thanks for all the chocolate. Helen and Roland, thanks for all the Cribbage. Michael, thanks for all the cop talk. Also, big thanks to Dee and crew at Smokey Davis for bringing his favorite food to the house. Too many more to mention ... he loved you all!
He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy, his son, Donovan, and four grandchildren, his brother, Lars and his family - Lise, Kiki, Alex, Nina and Erik, his brother, Frank Knudsen, his sister Shirley Wilson, and brother Dan Myrick.
A special love to Lars and his family for the many trips to see "Uncle John" and sharing stories. And to his step-sister, Deb Merrick, for checking in and making him laugh. We will have a party on the river later in the summer to celebrate his life with just a little Yukon Jack.