Gary Roger Knotts
July 21, 1937 - June 18, 2024
Gary Roger Knotts Sr., age 86 of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in Marceline, Missouri.
Born July 21, 1937, in La Plata, Missouri, the son of Lewis Dale and Anna Waneta (Nihiser) Knotts. In 1955, he was united in marriage to Alberta Marie Schultz in Yuma, Arizona who survives.
Also surviving are twin granddaughters, Jasmine and Jessica Malavolti of Marceline, Missouri; two sisters, Leta Marlene {Knotts} Jones of Springfield, Missouri and Margie Kay Kittle of Gibbs, Missouri; and one sister-in-law, Geri (Schultz) Scherkenbach and her husband, Robert of San Diego, California.
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Jesse Von Kittle; one son, Gary Roger Knotts Jr.; one daughter, Debra Lynn Malavolti; and one sister, Norma Diane Kittle.
Gary attended Gibbs grade school and was a 1955 graduate of La Plata High School. He worked most of his adult life in the aircraft industry, first at ROHR Aircraft in Chula Vista, California, Convair Aircraft, San Diego, California, Stanley Aviation, Denver, Colorado and retired from McDonald Douglas in St. Louis, Missouri. He actively farmed until the last few years.
He had a great love for traveling and his classic cars and trucks. He had several articles published in “Old Cars” magazine after attending their annual events held at Iola, Wisconsin for more than 20 years.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 21, 2024, at Travis Funeral Chapel in La Plata, Missouri. Burial will be in the East Addition of the La Plata Cemetery.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service.
