Cline H Knowles Jr.

Cline was born in Little Rock, Arkansas 86 years ago.  The family moved to Arlington, Virginia a few years later.  Chick graduated from Washington and Lee High School at the age of 16.  On his 17th birthday he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a V5 student (naval aviation) and began his college career at Emory and Henry College in Virginia.  He transferred to Sewanee University in Tennessee and then on to the University of Oklahoma where he joined the NROTC.  He received his Naval commission in 1946 at the age of 19. While at the University of Oklahoma he met Gloria and they fell head over heels in love.  They were married in San Francisco, California.  They celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary this year. He served on several ships early in his career, including the USS Bairoko during the Korean War.  After the war, he attended flight school in Pensacola, Florida where he received his wings of gold.  He served with various Naval Air Squadrons around the world, including NAS Corpus Christi beginning in the early 1960’s. After 23 years of distinguished service, he retired from the Navy obtaining the rank of Lt. Commander.  He then pursued a master’s degree and teaching certificate from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas.  He taught history at Mary Carroll High School for 21 years.  After that, he spent 7 years working at H&R Block during tax season. Cline and Gloria loved to travel.  They spent time touring the world; having visited Asia, Russia, Europe, Australia, and Latin America. Cline and Gloria  were members of St. Luke’s Methodist Church.  Chick enjoyed teaching Sunday school and held many positions in the church. Cline is survived by his wife of 66 years and two brothers Harvey and Rene Knowles and Fred and Billy Ann Knowles.  He is also survived by his 3 sons Cline Knowles III and Claire Salvail, Robert and Cynthia Knowles, and Paul and Stephanie Knowles.  He has eight grandchildren Kathryn, Stephanie, Anna, Sara, Emily, Samantha, Gillian, and Logan, and three great grandchildren Kaytlin, Ashton, and Payne. Gloria and family would like to thank Erie Perez, and Susie Molina for their loving care to Cline over the past 6 years. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 29th at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3151 Reid Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas. The family is asking that in lieu of flowers you make a donation to the charity of your choice in Cline’s name. To offer your condolences visit us at www.cage-mills.com