Arthur Harold "Junior" Knutson

1947 - 2018

Arthur "Junior" Harold Knutson

Pensacola - Arthur "Junior" Harold Knutson of Pensacola, FL went to join our heavenly Father on Thursday, November 22. He was 71.

Arthur was born on July 12, 1947 in Minneapolis, MN to Arthur and Jewell Knutson and moved to Pensacola when he was a young boy. He grew up in Pensacola, graduating from Escambia High School. He studied auto body repair at George Stone Technical College. Arthur went on to become a career Pressman, a job in which he loved for both the challenge of printing a widely distributed newspaper and the comradery of his coworkers. He retired after 40 years as a pressman from the Pensacola News Journal as they closed the local pressroom in 2009. During this time, he also worked for Hickman Transport Company driving as a contractor delivering bulk U.S. Mail to depots throughout Northwest Florida. He would often say how much he loved to drive trucks.

On December 24, 1968, Arthur married Angela McMahon, the love of his life, also known as DeDe. He often told the story of how he proposed to her at the A&W Root Beer Stand. He would joke about their first house which had originally been a chicken coop, but it was home to them. This year marks their 50th wedding anniversary.

They had three children, Richard, Matthew and Jennifer. One of Arthur's favorite things to do throughout his life was taking his family on vacation to Walt Disney World. He loved the magic of Disney and his favorite ride was the "Pirates of the Caribbean". He made many special memories with them and that tradition he started carries on to this day.

To his family, Arthur will always be remembered for his sweet and gentle spirit. He enjoyed telling stories and the comedian in him would begin to emerge until everyone could not stop laughing. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and was happy with the addition of two great grandchildren this year.

As a young man, Arthur's mechanical aptitude for working on cars quickly became his passion as his expertise was widely sought after and many afternoons or evenings he could be found working on someone's car if not his own. Often someone could simply describe the noise or the way a car was handling and Arthur could tell them exactly what was needed to correct the problem. He also learned to weld from his father and did not hesitate to strike a torch or burn a welding rod anytime he had the chance. There was very little that he could not do.

Arthur is preceded in death by his father, Arthur, and mother, Jewell. He is survived by his wife Angela, son Richard (Marquieta) Knutson, son Matthew (Brandy) Knutson, daughter Jennifer (George) McDowell of Pensacola, FL, four grandchildren, Ashley, Brody, Austin, Hunter, two great grandchildren, Izzabella and Izzak, brother Allen (Alice) Knutson, sister Linda (Darrell) Hall, sister Mary (Charles) Gilliard. He also leaves behind several nieces, nephews and cousins, all of which he loved dearly.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at Trahan Family Funeral Home, 419 Yoakum Court, Pensacola, FL 32505 with Pastor Gene Hudson officiating. Burial will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

The family will receive friends beginning at 12:00 pm at the funeral home, prior to the memorial service.