Dr. James Paul Knochel

James was born on October 4, 1930, in Lincoln, Illinois, to Paul and Agnes Knochel. He married his college sweetheart, Jolene Widmeier in June of 1952. They were married for 64 years.

James and Jolene were blessed with 9 children. James was preceded in death by his wife, Jolene, eldest daughter, Ellen Marie Knochel, and son, Nicholas William Knochel. He is survived by 7 children: Paul, John (wife Joellen), James (wife Kathy), Mary, Mark (wife Cindy), Frances (husband Brett Giles) and Martha (husband Scott Baker). He was blessed with 15 grandchildren: Nichole, Katherine, Jocelyn, Molly, Kevin, Luke, Victoria, Seth, Patrick, Haley, Zane, Alexandra, Ellen, Matthew, Lauren, Aden, and 19 great-grandchildren. He leaves a legacy of 43 descendants.

James loved fishing, hunting, travelling with Jolene and his children, and playing jazz on the piano. He could cook up a mean fish fry.

James was a gifted football player earning recognition as an Illinois All State High School Football Player (1948) and later, "Little" All American (small college) Football Player and obtaining his BS, Cum Laude, Loras College Dubuque, Iowa, (1952). He then attended and received his M.D. from Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois, 1956.

James served his country as an Army Physician, 1956-1988. Completed his rotating internship at Madigan Army Hospital 1957-1960. He was Chief Resident, Department of Internal Medicine, Walter Reed General Hospital, 1961-1963. He then moved to San Antonio as Chief, Renal-Metabolic Section, U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 1963-1969.

In 1969 James accepted the position of Associate Professor Internal Medicine, and later, Professor, 1973-1988, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, 1969-1988. He was Chief, Renal Division VAMC, Dallas, 1969-1980 and Associate Chief of Staff for Research, VAMC, Dallas 1976-1980. Chairman, Department of Internal Medicine, Presbyterian Hospital, Dallas, 1988-2001. He received numerous accolades throughout his career.

Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, 10:00 am, at St. Monica's Catholic Church, 9933 Midway Road, Dallas, TX, followed by a burial at the DFW National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The National Kidney Foundation or to the American Red Cross. Online condolences can be made at Sparkman-Hillcrest.com