Winston Burnell Knox, 91, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, December 30, 2018. Known as “WB” or “Knox” by friends and family and “Pappaw” by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was a hard working family man with a myriad of talents and hobbies. WB was born to Simon Knox and Zelma Flynn Knox on October 4, 1927 in Camp Letcher, Texas as the second eldest of seven siblings. He lived the majority of his life in Conroe, Texas.
WB was married to his beloved wife, Ruby Jewel Dean, for over seventy years. He met her at a Sunday school picnic after church on family property. Their love story was delayed because of his service in the United States Army in post-war Japan. After dating long distance and exchanging handwritten letters overseas for several years, he and Ruby married on July 11, 1948 at First Baptist Church in Willis, Texas. Their marriage was a happy ceremony filled with family and friends.
As a newlywed, WB worked hard to provide for his bride at Sav-Way grocery store. Following that, Dentler’s employed him as a route salesman and later he was promoted to area sales manager. His potato chip route truck provided numerous free snacks for his grandchildren after each visit they made.
WB was a member of First Baptist Church of Conroe for sixty-five years. He became a follower of Jesus Christ as a young man and his faith was an important part of his life. He was an active member of the Boyd McRee Doers Sunday school class.
Always a fan of softball and baseball, he played softball as a young man. WB also found great joy in helping youngsters as an adult. He coached little league baseball for the Sav-Way Yanks and even won numerous championships. He was a scout master for the First Baptist Conroe scout troop and taught the junior boys Sunday school class there as well.
WB had a green thumb. As a life member of the Coushatta Camellia Society, he and Ruby cultivated over 100 different camellia bushes in their yard. He served as president for this organization, as a judge of local camellia shows (along with Ruby) and was the highlight host home for the camellia garden tour for numerous years. Even though WB won many awards for his prized camellia blooms, he drew the greatest joy from sharing his flowers with family, friends and visitors. In addition to his love and appreciation for flowers, he had a sense of duty towards society and his fellow man. He was a thirty-second degree Master Mason with the Conroe Masonic Lodge #748 since 1949. One of his grandsons has followed in his footsteps as a mason too.
An avid golfer, WB was a member of the Conroe Country Club for fifty-five years and served on the board of directors. Almost daily he could be found golfing with his brothers Devoy and Dolton and numerous other standing golf date buddies. His grandkids learned how to drive his golf cart much younger than they probably should have.
Along with Ruby, they participated in a 42 domino club with twelve members that met monthly for thirty years. WB was an expert domino player and was known for making 84 out of a “trash hand.” His favorite playing partner was Ruby Jewel, but he also got the most pleasure out of winning should she dare play against him.
This well-rounded family man adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. During their visits, he taught them how to fish, drive a stick shift, identify different varieties of camellias and many other life skills. Pappaw would take his grandkids out for a morning on the golf course, lunch at Whataburger and then out for driving lessons at the old airport. He was hands-on and no nonsense. Pappaw taught his grandchildren how to shoot a gun, play poker, gin rummy and 42. He introduced them to classics like John Wayne – and even resembled a more handsome version of The Duke during his younger years. As an Army veteran, he would regal his grandchildren with phrases he learned in Japanese many years after his service was complete. His harmonica playing could calm even the fussiest baby and he took pride in easily rocking his great grandchildren to sleep (much to Ruby’s dismay).
WB is preceded in death by his father Simon Knox, mother Zelma Flynn Knox and brother Devoy Knox. He is survived by wife Ruby Dean Knox; son Rodger Knox and wife Gail of Baltimore, Maryland; daughter Cindy Figer and husband Mike of Austin, Texas; brother Dolton Knox and wife Barbara; brother James Knox; sisters Betty Ann Elston, Janet Knox and Barbara Mitchell; numerous adoring nieces and nephews; grandchildren Ashley Pointer and husband Lucas, Andrew Figer and wife Dana, Patrick Figer and wife Kathryn, Jordon Knox and Connor Knox and ten great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.
Visitation will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at Metcalf Funeral Home, 1801 E. White Oak, Conroe, Texas 77304, with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at County Line Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to First Baptist Church, Conroe, Texas.
