John Eldon Knepp, 88, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 19 in Castro Valley.
He was born in McCook County, Nebraska in 1923 to Ruth and Bruce Knepp, the second of five children. Before his fourth birthday, the family moved from Nebraska and settled in Escalon, where he attended Escalon High School. Inspired by the big bands of the time, he played clarinet in the school band. He was a member of the Future Farmers of America, Boy Scouts of America and played on the Escalon High basketball team.
After high school graduation, he served in China in World War II as a control tower operator. On his return, he attended and graduated from UC Berkeley in 1949 with a degree in Forestry. He also began his marriage to wife Patsy, also of Escalon. They were together for 62 years before he passed. They had four children, spending most of their married life in the east bay area, including the last 44 years in Pleasanton.
Shortly after graduation from Berkeley, Mr. Knepp joined Cutter Lumber Products in Oakland, where he served as General Manager for 50 years.
He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and filled nearly all of the lay leadership roles at one time or another. He was a private pilot and enjoyed travel, golf, and bowling. He also excelled as a pitcher in a slow pitch softball league with his "Rainmaker Skyball" pitch.
A loving husband and wonderful father, he was also known for his great sense of humor.
Survivors include his wife Patsy; sister Ruth; children Rick, Debbie, Greg and Keith; grandchildren Henry, Heather, Douglas, Bodie and Tori and great grandchildren Cielle, Emile, Cadence, Braxton and Brielle.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother as well as brothers Raymond, Kenneth and Ronald.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Lynnewood United Methodist Church, 4444 Black Ave., Pleasanton.
Memorial donations may be sent to either of two charities: Lynnewood United Methodist Church at the address listed above, or Heifer International, P.O. Box 8058 Little Rock, Arkansas 722003-8058. Please write "In Memory of John Knepp" on the memo line of the check.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
Feb. 8, 2012
He was born in McCook County, Nebraska in 1923 to Ruth and Bruce Knepp, the second of five children. Before his fourth birthday, the family moved from Nebraska and settled in Escalon, where he attended Escalon High School. Inspired by the big bands of the time, he played clarinet in the school band. He was a member of the Future Farmers of America, Boy Scouts of America and played on the Escalon High basketball team.
After high school graduation, he served in China in World War II as a control tower operator. On his return, he attended and graduated from UC Berkeley in 1949 with a degree in Forestry. He also began his marriage to wife Patsy, also of Escalon. They were together for 62 years before he passed. They had four children, spending most of their married life in the east bay area, including the last 44 years in Pleasanton.
Shortly after graduation from Berkeley, Mr. Knepp joined Cutter Lumber Products in Oakland, where he served as General Manager for 50 years.
He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and filled nearly all of the lay leadership roles at one time or another. He was a private pilot and enjoyed travel, golf, and bowling. He also excelled as a pitcher in a slow pitch softball league with his "Rainmaker Skyball" pitch.
A loving husband and wonderful father, he was also known for his great sense of humor.
Survivors include his wife Patsy; sister Ruth; children Rick, Debbie, Greg and Keith; grandchildren Henry, Heather, Douglas, Bodie and Tori and great grandchildren Cielle, Emile, Cadence, Braxton and Brielle.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother as well as brothers Raymond, Kenneth and Ronald.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Lynnewood United Methodist Church, 4444 Black Ave., Pleasanton.
Memorial donations may be sent to either of two charities: Lynnewood United Methodist Church at the address listed above, or Heifer International, P.O. Box 8058 Little Rock, Arkansas 722003-8058. Please write "In Memory of John Knepp" on the memo line of the check.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
Feb. 8, 2012
