Jack Knowlan Sr.

Jack Harward Knowlan Sr., 90, of Jackson died Tuesday, April 16, 2013, at his home.

He was born June 26, 1922, in Victoria, Texas, son of A. Frank Knowlan of Victoria and Sue Harward Knowlan, formerly of Brownwood, Texas. Jack and Peggy Lou Johnson were married in 1948 in Victoria.

Jack graduated from Victoria High School in 1939 and entered Texas A&M University. Jack graduated with a bachelor of science degree in animal science in 1942.

He immediately joined the U.S. Marine Corps. After completing Reserve Officers Training Class, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and trained as an 81 mm mortar and motor transport officer. He served in Guadalcanal, Guam, and Iwo Jima during World War II from 1942 to 1945. He was discharged as a major.

Jack's early employment included a year with Swift and Co. as a sales representative, a year farming and two years teaching veterans vocational agriculture in Victoria. In 1949 he worked for Lentz Feed & Seed Co. as sales manager, where he formulated and registered feed and chemicals for agriculture.

In 1954, he was employed by Stauffer Chemical Co. and moved his family to Cape Girardeau. They joined First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau in 1954. In 1960, the family moved to Jackson and joined First Presbyterian Church there. Jack served on the session as chairman of the finance committee, sang in the choir and landscaped the church grounds.

While with Stauffer Chemical, Jack received recognition for creating a sales program in which chemical dealers earned trip points for their purchases. The program was eventually adopted nationally. Jack and Peggy served as hosts on trips to Spain, Switzerland, Mexico, Hawaii, London, Italy and Puerto Rico. Jack and Peggy also traveled independently to Germany, Australia, Ireland, Hawaii, Spain, Canary Islands, San Salvador, Costa Rica and Mexico.

Jack purchased three farms near the Castor River in 1957, where he raised cattle and grew row crops, while still being employed by Stauffer Chemical. He planted an 80-acre apple and peach orchard near Burfordville in 1960. Knollcrest Orchard was in production from 1973 until 1982, selling apples locally and in St. Louis. Jack retired in 1982 and he and Peggy moved to a farm near Burfordville. He raised registered Limousin cattle, selling bulls in Southeast Missouri and as far away as California and Virginia. He also raised registered gaited Spotted Saddle horses, Tennessee Walking horses and Birmingham Roller pigeons.

Jack was an avid gardener, having at one time 63 different perennial flowers, a vegetable garden and peach, apple, pear, plum, pecan and fig trees. In addition to being a successful businessman, he always enjoyed music and found time to sing in the choir and attend church regularly. He also was a great conservationist of wildlife and the environment. Jack was an active member of Michigan, Illinois and Missouri horticulture societies, North American Limousin Foundation, Missouri Limousin Society, Missouri Cattlemen's Association, Jackson Men's Garden Club, National Birmingham Roller Club, Spotted Saddle Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association, National Wildlife Federation and National Arbor Day Foundation.

Survivors include his wife Peggy of Jackson; their three children, Lou Ann Knowlan of Boulder, Colo., Jack (Bonnie) Knowlan Jr. of Jackson and Mary Susan (Bob) Trainor of Parkland, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Erika (Matt) Russell, Spencer (Lara) Knowlan, Stuart (Courtney) Knowlan, Robyn Knowlan, Arin Knowlan Brockett, Bethany Trainor and Ethan Trainor; a granddaughter-in-law, Megan Shipley Knowlan (wife of Garrett Knowlan); and six great-grandchildren, Audrey, Claire, Beckett, Levi, Chase and Gunnar.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Major Garrett Wayne Knowlan.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who devoted his life to providing a full and rich life for his family. He leaves a legacy of farming and orchards, a love of the outdoors and God. He will be missed and held in our hearts forever.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home, and from 10 a.m. to time of service Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, with Dr. Grant F.C. Gillard officiating. Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery with full military honors.

Online condolences may be made at www.cracraftmiller.com.