Gene George Knapp

Richland Hills, TX: Gene George Knapp, 83, passed away Wednesday, March 2, 2023 in Richland Hills, TX.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 PM, Friday, March 10, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church in Rush Springs with Chris Stinnett officiating. Burial will be in the West View Cemetery under the direction of Callaway-Smith-Cobb Funeral and Cremation Services of Rush Springs.
Visitation will be at Callaway-Smith-Cobb Chapel in Rush Springs, Thursday, March 9, 5:00-8:30 PM and Friday, March 10, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM.
Gene was born June 12, 1939 in Bremer County, Iowa, son of George and Alice Murial Knapp. Gene enlisted in the US Army in May of 1961 where he proudly served his country until his retirement in August of 1984. After serving seven years as an enlisted soldier, Gene attended Warrant officer training and helicopter flight school. Upon graduation Gene served missions in Vietnam where he was rated in the top five percent of all Warrant officers in the US Army. He also served in Thailand, Germany, and San Antonio, TX where he was assigned to a Medivac unit. While assigned there, some missions consisted of transporting patients including transporting premature babies from small hospitals to Santa Rosa Hospital neo-natal unit on numerous occasions. On one occasion he rescued an injured worker in Mathis, TX in a water tower during adverse flying conditions. Gene concluded his Military Career as a distinguished decorated flight instructor at Ft Sill Army Base in Lawton, OK. After Military retirement Gene was a resident of Rush Springs, OK where he was a member of the United Methodists Church. He assisted his wife Joyce in her lifelong dream as small business owners with JD Ceramics, Fuddpuckers Gift Shop, and Earthenware Creation by Joyce before finally settling in Richland Hills, TX.
Gene is preceded in death by his parents, George and Alice Murial Knapp, daughter, Sheila Kay Knapp, son John Knapp, granddaughter Elaine Jordan, son-in-law, Harry Dyer, and his loving wife, Joyce Faye Knapp. Gene and Joyce were married for 53 years before Joyce's death in 2017.
Gene is survived by many loved ones including his sisters, Jane Fauser and husband Dick, and Nancy Borchers and husband Jack, children, Joe Knapp, Jaqueline Dyer, Julie Woods and husband Kenneth, Terrance Knapp and wife Beki, and Christopher Knapp and wife Jennifer, daughter-in-law, Teri Knapp, grandchildren John Pyle and wife Lindsay, Samantha Ealey and Allen Gunn, Heather Woods, Hayleigh Woods, George Knapp and wife Teresa, Gene Knapp, Tina Knapp, Schuyler Knapp, Jeremy Knapp, Angela Knapp, Kalani Knapp, Kathryn Knapp, and Turner Knapp as well as twenty-four great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Pallbearers will be: John Pyle, George Knapp, Gene Knapp, Collin Knapp, Dustin Pyle, and Dawson Knapp.
Online condolences may be made to www.CallawaySmithCobb.com