James M. (Jim) Knox, Jr.

James “Jim” M. Knox, Jr., 87, of Orlando, FL passed away on May 5, 2014. He was born on February 10, 1927 in Tampa, FL. Jim graduated from Plant City High School in 1945. He then attended the University of Tampa and Florida Southern College in Lakeland. Jim was a member of the United States Navy from 1945-1946 and 1951-1952, during which time he served on the battleship USS Wisconsin. After his time in the service, Jim worked as a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper from 1952-1957. He then worked for the State’s Insurance Commissioner’s Office from 1957-1964. In 1956, Jim came to Orlando and met his wife, M. Nadine Belmany in 1957. It was after his marriage to Nadine that Jim started his nursery business as a hobby. He and Nadine founded Knox Nursery Inc. in 1962 and it grew into one of the top 100 Growers in the United States. Jim served on various committees and was an active member for FNGLA for over 40 years. He was also a founding member of the Bedding Plant Committee which later became the Floriculture Committee. Jim received the FNGA Floriculture Person of the Year Award and was inducted into the FNGLA Hall of Fame in 2012. He retired in 1992 and said he had 30 years of missed fishing to make up for, which became his new job and he fished 5 days per week!

Jim is survived by his sons Steve Griffiths (Cathy), Monty Knox III, and Bruce Knox (Amanda).

Visitation will be Thurs., May 8 from 5-8pm at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL 34734. Service will take place the next day, Friday, May 9, at 2pm at Woodlawn.

Arrangements are under the care of Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, www.woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com.