John Robert Knox67, of Cool Spring, NC, died Monday, August 5, 2024, at Iredell Memorial Hospital. He was born September 25, 1956, in West Covina, California.
John was the son of Moffett Preston Knox and Jacqueline Propst Knox. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Ken and Mike.
John is survived by his sister Leslie of Statesville, NC. John also has five nieces and nephews and several great nieces and nephews. Special mention goes to his niece Heather who helped with the blueberries. Another special thanks goes to his best friend Jeff. He was so proud to introduce him as “my best friend since seventh grade.” He was also fortunate to have many cousins.
He lived his life as a single man, but recently he met a very special woman: Jamie. John boasted about her ability to pick a quart of blueberries in 45 minutes. He confided to some friends that he was in love with her and that she was the one he had been waiting for. Jamie hardly left John’s bed during the last weeks of his life.
John had many friends. They could always count on him to be there when they needed him. He was an honest man when he had something to say. People whose lives he touched still come out of hiding.
Another friend of John’s that we must not forget is his faithful companion Blue. They were inseparable and Blue is such a great dog.
John was a graduate of North Iredell High School, where he was a first-team wrestler all four years and went undefeated in the regular season his junior and senior years. He later graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in pulp and paper science. He enjoyed following Wolf Pack sports. While in college, John worked for United Parcel Service (UPS), becoming a full-time employee and later retiring.
He also served in the North Carolina National Guard, achieving the rank of captain. He served as a company commander for part of his service. He later resigned to focus on UPS.
John moved back to Statesville to take care of his father. It was at this time that he began learning the blueberry business. Years earlier, his father Moffett had started the farm by planting 500 blueberry bushes. John took the business to a new level. He ran the business very analytically. John kept accurate records of production, rainfall levels, and even how many times he walked up and down the hill to his water source. He enjoyed his conversations with the people who came to pick blueberries, including the children. He had many stories to tell and share with them. John learned hard work at a young age while working in his father’s restaurant in California. By age 10, he could prepare and cook everything on the menu.
He was an avid outdoorsman. He had backpacked and camped in several states. He knew the Linville Gorge area like the back of his hand. Visiting waterfalls, hiking trails and being outdoors was his life’s work. He always had a story to tell about bear encounters or other unforgettable adventures. Blue accompanied John on dozens of day trips.
Another important part of John’s life was his relationship with God. John loved worship at Fifth Creek Presbyterian Church, where he served in a leadership role. He openly shared his thoughts, even when they differed from everyone else’s – all for the good of the church. He helped maintain the church and supported all church activities. Every Sunday he brought blueberry pie to the church brunch. John was a simple man. He needed little but gave so much. One example is his numerous donations of blueberries, other produce, and breakfast foods to the Iredell Christian Ministries Food Bank.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 17th at 5 p.m. at the Fifth Creek Presbyterian Church, with a visitation at 4 p.m. followed by military honors. The Fifth Creek Presbyterian Church is located at 1547 Mocksville Highway, Statesville, NC.
Nicholson Funeral Home is honored to serve the Knox family.
