KNOX, Kenneth Wendell

Kenneth Wendell Knox, 84, a native of Chandler, passed away Aug 18, 2002. Mr. Knox was born Oct. 16, 1914 to Chandler pioneers, Alexander and Martha James Knox and joined his sister, Florence, and two brothers, Orval and Stanley at their farmhouse on East Knox Road. He graduated from Chandler High School in 1933 where he was an outstanding athlete and was chosen to play on the Arizona All State football team in 1932. After graduation, he studied at the University of Arizona and earned a degree in education. He was named Outstanding Football Player at the U of A and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He joined the cavalry and was later transferred to the Air Force where he trained cadets at Lowry Field in Denver and Maxwell Field in Mobile, AL. While in Denver, he met Halcyon Johnston of Imperial, Nebraska, who was working at Lowry Field. She became his bride on Sept 14, 1942. He left the military in 1946 with the rank of Major. Kenneth and Halcyon came back to Chandler where he started teaching and coaching in Chandler schools. During this time he also attended ASU and received his Master's degree in education. While coaching at CHS in 1949, his football team won the state football championship, never losing one game that season. From 1953 until 1963, Mr. Knox was principal of Chandler Junior High School and moved on to become assistant superintendent. In 1966, he accepted the job of Superintendent of Chandler Schools until his retirement in 1975. He served on the boards of the Chandler Chamber of Commerce, Chandler Community Hospital, the U of A Alumni Association, and was a Rotary Club member. Having coffee and chatting with his extended family known as the 'Sunshine Boys' became the highlight of his day during his final years. Mr. Knox is survived by his wife, Halcyon Johnston Knox; his two daughters, Jamie Jerdee of Mexico, and Brookie Ritchie (Husband, Earl) of Illinois; his son, Barry Knox of Connecticut; and three grandchildren, Jeffery Swan (Wife, Dana) of Chandler, Jacob Levee of Chicago, and Kathleen Knox of San Francisco. Memorials may be made to Chandler Education Foundation for the Kenneth W. Knox Scholarship Fund, 1525 W. Frye Road, Chandler 85224, or to the church. Memorial service Wednesday, Aug 21, 2002, at Chandler United Methodist Church, 251 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, AZ 85225. Arizona Republic August 20, 2002.