Claude Henry Knox

Loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and even great-great-grandfather, Claude Knox passed away peacefully the morning of August 3, 2010 at the age of 81 with his family by his side in Vancouver, Washington. Claude was born on January 14, 1929 to Irwin E. Knox and Mary A. Tracy in Hudson, Colorado. Claude led an honest and praiseworthy life, proudly serving his country in the United States Army for 20 years and marrying Blanche, an equally admirable woman. Blanche Knox passed on May 16, 2009 and has been waiting patiently to light the way for Claude to their new forever home where together, they can celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on August 19. In his earlier years Claude started out as a gas station attendant at Fairchild AFB. He switched to food service which became his life's passion. He was regularly promoted and eventually traveled the world as the Food Operations Manager for the Army Air Force Exchange Services. He loved this job and talked about it endlessly. He stayed in contact with many of his friends and associates from this time. Areas included were Vietnam, Okinawa, Korea and other foreign lands. Stateside he was stationed in Colorado, Alaska, California, and, of course, in Washington. Upon retirement from "official" work, Claude would keep busy by selling at local flea markets and would routinely employee his grandchildren to run his shop with him. This hobby led to quite a few stories that are yet to be told. Claude was known to all as a remarkable man with a heart of gold, whose humble interests included electronic games, his favorite TV shows, and enjoying his favorite snacks of chocolate chip cookies and jelly-beans. He has touched many hearts and he will be missed more than words can express. He is survived by his sisters, Bernice Postelwait and Mary-Lou Almquist; seven children: Anna (Fred) Bellamy, Paulette (Ken) Brown, Billie (Daryl) Camitsch, John (Helen) Cushman, Eddie (Cindy) Cushman, Jay (Diane) Cushman, Karen (Ruben) Ontiveros; 22 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, Claude's family asks you to please consider donations to Hospice SW at PO Box 1600, Vancouver, WA 98668 as their caring and understanding ways helped Claude and his family through this most difficult time. Many thanks to Hospice and The Ashley Inn for taking such wonderful care of Claude.

Claude Henry Knox

January 14, 1929 - August 3, 2010