John E. Knox Sr., 70 years, of Fort Madison, Iowa died at 6:55 pm Friday, December 24, 2010 at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa. He was born August 3, 1940 at Delta, Iowa, a son of Carl N. and Mary (Fear) Knox. Due to the death of his mother, when he was only three years old, he was raised by his grandparents, Milo and Jenny Fear. On October 2, 1966, he married Barbara Haendler at Denmark, Iowa.

He moved to the Fort Madison area in 1966. He was a veteran of the United States Army. He was a member of Grace Communion Church in Macomb, Illinois. For years he and his wife, Barb, enjoyed riding their Gold Wing Motorcycles. He enjoyed going to Riverview Park to watch the eagles and trains. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Knox, of Fort Madison, Iowa; one son, John Jr. (wife Kelly) Knox, Denmark, Iowa; one daughter, Julie (husband Jeff) Atkins, of Wilton, Iowa; two sisters: Wilma (husband Don) Flander, of What Cheer, Iowa and Connie Knox, of Fort Madison, Iowa; five grandchildren: Zach, Caleb, Ethan, Emma, and Josh; nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, and two daughters, Annalisa Knox and Kari Knox.

The family will meet friends from 1:00 - 2:00 pm Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at the Barr Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison with Pastor Bill Willis officiating. Burial at Fairview Cemetery, rural Fort Madison, Iowa.
He was an eye donor with the Iowa Lions Eyes Bank. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Fort Madison Food Pantry, contributions may be made at the Barr Memorial Chapel.