Richard Merritt Knoles

RICHARD MERRITT KNOLES FEB 1, 1943 - SEPT. 19, 2007 Rick Knoles went home to be with the Lord on September 19, 2007. He was born on 2/1/1943 in Modesto, California to Leslie and Beatrice Knoles. Rick was the oldest of three children and grew up in Modesto with his brother Tom, and sister Linda. Rick's passion was sports, especially football. He was a quarterback on Downey High School's football team. He also enjoyed track, especially pole- vaulting, and was fortunate enough to run with the Olympic Torch in 1960. Rick served in the US Marine Corps Reserve for six years. He received his AA from Modesto Junior College, and his BA from Fresno State where he met his future wife, Sharon Palmquist. They were married the following year. Two years later, their only child, Kim was born. After graduating, Rick moved his family to Southern California where he received a teaching and coaching position at Channel Islands High School in Oxnard.

Rick was an incredible educator. He truly understood kids and was an advocate for them. Rick's 28-year commitment to AA was the motivating factor for completing his High School Counseling Credential and Marriage, Family, and Child Therapist License. Upon completion of these degrees, Rick was hired as a counselor at Camarillo High School. He also had a private counseling practice for fifteen years and was a true inspiration to his clients. He worked two jobs for many years to fulfill his counseling dreams. Two years before retiring, he transferred to Pacifica High School to help with the opening of the new school.

Rick retired after 32 years with the Oxnard Union High School District. He thoroughly enjoyed his retirement and kept busy coaching football, playing Ping-Pong, cooking, playing the guitar and piano, completing daily crosswords, reading, dining, and most of all spending time with his family. Rick had three precious granddaughters, Madison, Marin, and Morgan Lockwood. He enjoyed supporting them in their school, dancing and soccer activities. Rick was an amazing person. He cared for and loved his family immensely. His intense personality was inspired by a gentle, sincere heart. Rick was an extremely fair, honest, and moral man and was highly respected by those who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Sharon of 42 years; daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Guy Lockwood of Camarillo; granddaughters, Madison, Marin, and Morgan Lockwood; mom, Beatrice Knoles of Modesto; brother and sister-in-Law, Tom and Cecilia Knoles of Modesto; sister and brother-in-Law, Linda and Mike Gianelli of Modesto; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday afternoon, September 27 at 3:30.

Ventura Baptist Church 5415 Ralston Street Ventura, CA In lieu of flowers donations canbe made to: www.acsevents.org/relay/ca/camarillo

or Livingston Memorial Hospice 1996 Eastman Avenue Suite 101 Ventura, CA 93003 www.modbee.com/obituaries