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John B. Knox, Jr.
1924-2002
The Texas Ranger Hall of
Fame and Museum is saddened to report the passing of Mr. John B. Knox,
Jr., of Giddings, Texas. Mr. Knox was made an honorary board member
of the museum in recognition of his and the Knox Family's landmark efforts
on behalf of the Hall of Fame and Museum.
The Knox Family has been a major force in the development of the Hall
of Fame and Museum. John -- with his late brothers Robert and Louis
and surviving sister Jo Knox Marcia -- led the effort to build The John
Knox (Sr.) Texas Ranger Memorial Center banquet hall. Their donations
of family artifacts have greatly enhanced the museum collections. And
before his passing, John Knox Jr. bequeathed a substantial art collection
to the museum.
John was a kind and gentle
man who enjoyed making the life of those around him better. He sought
to avoid recognition in life, but his spirit and memory will live on
in the many people whose lives he touched.
—Byron
A. Johnson, Director
John
Bates Knox, Jr. entered this world on May 22, 1924,
fifteen minutes before the completely unexpected arrival of his twin
brother, Robert. When their older sister, Jo, saw them for the first
time and discovered she had two brothers instead of just one, she anxiously
asked whether they were going to get to keep both of them, or would
they have to give one back. She was assured they were both staying.
As children, the Twins were so close that they communicated to each
other in their own separate language that no one else, even in the family,
could understand. They didn't really learn to speak English properly
until they entered the first grade when the teacher couldn’t understand
them.
He was born in Giddings,
Lee County, Texas, into the First Presbyterian Church. He and his twin
brother joined the church of their parents in May, 1933 when they were
nine years old. He was a faithful and devoted member for the remaining
sixty-nine years of his life, serving on the Sessions several times.
John graduated from Giddings
High School. On February 17, 1943, he was inducted into the United States
Army, along with his brother, Bob, and served during World War II. John
and Bob were stationed and served together. His company of Combat Engineers
was shipped overseas, and after thirty days and nights landed in New
Guinea. Later his company was involved in the Philippines invasion of
Leyte, and then of Luzon, and its preparations for the invasion of Japan
was only halted by the U.S. dropping the atomic bombs on Japan.
Mustered out of the army
in 1946, John returned home to Giddings. In September of that year he
enrolled in Austin College, a Presbyterian School in Sherman, Texas.
He transferred to the College of Mines, El Paso, then to the University
of Texas in 1949, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree
in Geology. After a brief adventure prospecting in the western states,
he returned to Giddings, and with his brother, joined their father in
running Lee County Land and Abstract Company, a business they carried
on for many years after their father passed away in 1964.
In all events throughout
his life, John was joined by his beloved twin brother, Bob. As the Knox
Brothers, they were an integral thread in the fabric of life in their
hometown here in Giddings, Texas. Except for nineteen weeks of army
basic training, they were together practically everyday of their lives,
until Bob’s death on June 28, 1999. Many of John’s friends
and family were concerned about how he would cope with living alone
after Bob was gone, but his faith in God, sense of duty and love of
family and friends kept him strong and kept him going.
John loved his Church,
his country, his family, and friends. He was proud of his military service,
his degree from the University of Texas, his work at Lee County Land
and Abstract Company, and his contribution and participation in the
"Great Oil Boom" in the Giddings Austin Chalk Field. He was
an honorary member of the Board of Directors for the Texas Ranger Hall
of Fame and Museum in Waco, Texas. He was an active and devoted member
of the J. D. Giddings Masonic Lodge for 55 years and was honored last
year by the Golden Trowel Award, the highest honor that is bestowed
upon a Mason, and is not often given.
John did not want people
to "fuss" over him. Without wanting to flaunt his charity,
he loved to give. He was always the one to contribute to a good cause,
the first one to inquire whether funds were needed. He loved to invite
friends and family out to dinner and pay for everyone. If anyone else
tried to pick up the check, an argument would usually ensue, which he
would cap by saying, "You’re in MY bailiwick, I should pay!"
He usually won. He will be remembered for his generosity, his solid
conservatism, his attention to detail and his memory for dates, his
warm smile and his geniality. He will be missed for his kindness, his
old world courtesies and Southern gentleman manners, and his dependability.
John Knox left this world
from his home, quietly and without fuss, on Monday evening, October
21, very suddenly and swiftly, as he was preparing to attend a Masonic
meeting. His passing appeared to be swift and merciful.
He was preceded in death
by his beloved brother, Robert Knox, and his youngest brother, Louis
Knox. Survivors include his older sister Jo Knox Marcia of Dallas, his
sister-in-law, Evelyn Knox of Giddings, his nieces Jo Byrd and Roy Wolin
of Dallas, Judy and Doug Morton of Fort Worth, Barbara and Charles Cuningham
of Caldwell, and "adopted" niece, Dorice and Larry Perryman
of Conroe, and 5 great-nieces: Deborah Byrd, Margaret Cunningham, Sarah
Byrd, Joanna Cunningham and Katherine Cunningham.
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