Benson Knox

Benson "Mike" Knox, Jr., age 88, of Peoria died Wednesday, October 31, 2012 in Whitney. A funeral will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, November 4, 2012 at the Marshall and Marshall Funeral Directors Chapel in Hillsboro with Rev. Joe Bob Boyd officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Ridge Park Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Benson was born October 7, 1924 in Peoria to Benson and Pearl (Griffin) Knox. He served as a gunners mate, first class in the United States Navy during World War II. He married Patty White on November 30, 1952 in Hillsboro.

Benson worked for the Santa Fe Railroad until retiring in 1971. He and Patty then moved to Alaska where he worked for the Alaska Railroad until 1981. They then returned to the Knox home place in Peoria where he grew produce and was especially known for his peaches. He was a licensed pilot, a trap shooter, and loved the outdoors. For many years, Knox and a group of friends hunted deer in Colorado, an experience he wrote a book about. He was of the Presbyterian faith.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Charlie Knox.

Survivors include his wife, Patti Knox of Peoria; children, Samuel James Knox of Amarillo, Stephen Charles Knox and wife, Jessica of Anchorage, Alaska, and Gay Lynn Knox of Peoria; brother, John Knox and wife, Mary Frances of Itasca; grandsons, Zakry Knox and Seth Knox; great grandson, Caden Knox.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made the American Cancer Society.