George Leighton Knox Jr.

George Leighton Knox, Jr born August 16, 1938 in Lubbock, Texas to Helen and George Knox. The family moved from Lubbock to Tahoka before his senior in high school. He graduated from Tahoka High School in 1956, lived in and around Tahoka the rest of his life.

He married Norma Joan Eaker on June 30, 1957, the hottest day of that summer, in a church where candles melted before lighting them, and their adventures began.

Leighton’s broad interests, experiences, and creative talent centered around a career mostly in agriculturally related industries. In the late 1970’s he conceived of small four-wheel sprayers that launched Wildcat Manufacturing. In the 80’s, he was asked to design and build lockers for a field house upgrade at Tahoka High school. The result was an ingenious and practically designed sports locker. Visiting coaches soon began to inquire about them. Now Wildcat lockers are in hundreds of schools across Texas and many states beyond.

Leighton passed away on November 30, 2025, from complications resulting from surgery. He was preceded in death by parents, Helen and George Knox. Leighton is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joan Knox; children Starrlyn Bray of Tahoka and Jayson Knox of Austin; five grandchildren: Jhonathan Knox of Lubbock; Anneliese Madrigal of Istanbul, Turkey; Seth Knox of Whitefish, Montana; Daniel Knox of Dripping Springs, Texas; and Michael Knox of Austin; nine great-grandchildren; a sister Claudia Flippin and brothers Raymond (Buddy) and William (Billy) Knox; and many “adopted” friends of his children and grandchildren.

His passing caught everyone by surprise, but the impact of Leighton’s life, generously shared, will be multiplied by the many he loved, encouraged, and served.

To have known him, will be to miss his creativity in problems solving, his wisdom on life, his steadying presence, and faithfulness. We grieve deeply, celebrate his life joyfully, and wish we could ask him just one more question.