Noel Durand Knotts

Noel Durand Knotts, 97, of Malabar Florida passed peacefully in his sleep to be with the love of his life, Jacqueline, and our heavenly father on May 1, 2023. Born November 17, 1926 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit Michigan, the 4th child of Sylvia Maude Fell and Harold Alvon Knotts.

Noel grew up in Iowa City, Iowa where he was drafted into the Army during the later stages of WWII, serving with the 82d Airborne Division as an Infantryman, and subsequently demobilized without deploying. He continued his service in the Iowa National Guard until volunteering for Officer Candidates School to serve on active duty as an Armor officer. Noel served in combat in Korea with the 25th Infantry Division from 1952-53 in the 89th Tank Battalion and later in the 35th Infantry Regiment where he was wounded in combat. Noel served in multiple command and staff assignments in Germany with the 4th Armored Division, Fort Hood Texas with the 2d Armored Division, Netherlands with Armed Forces Central Command (NATO), and in Korea with 8th Army. Most notable was his combat tour in Vietnam in 1970 where he commanded the 3d Squadron 4th Cavalry of the 25th Infantry Division. Noel retired from the Army at the rank of Colonel, Regular Army, in 1978 after 33 years from Fort Devens, Massachusetts as the senior Armor trainer for Army Readiness Region One.

Noel married Jacqueline Joan Dusterhoft in 1950 in Iowa City, Iowa and immediately started their whirlwind tour of Army posts, camps, and stations. Jacqueline and Noel had six children, Scott Thomas, Elizabeth Anne, Jane Allyn, Noël Diane, Barbara Jean, and Carl Daniel between 1951 and 1963.

In retirement, Noel and Jackie loved to travel; Noel was especially proud that he had lived in or visited 61 countries. Noel was a Scottish Rite 32nd-degree Mason, a member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, and active with The Retired Officers Association. He is survived by his children Elizabeth, Jane, Noël, Barbara, Carl, seven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donation to be made to the Fisher House in Orlando, Florida, in Noel’s name, for the care and service they provide to veterans' families during treatment at the Orlando VA Hospital.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FountainheadFuneralHome.com for the Knotts family.