John Knowles

It's with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to John Edward Knowles, a true pillar of the Sandpoint community, who passed away Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at the age of 76. But while we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the incredible life he lived and the indelible mark he left on everyone who knew him.

John was born in sunny Santa Ana, Calif., on April 30, 1948, to Cecil and Peggy Knowles. One of four siblings (Bob, Pat, John and Mike), he traded the California sunshine for the beauty of North Idaho when his family moved to Sandpoint during his sixth-grade year. He quickly became a beloved figure in the community, attending Northside School, the Ninth Grade Center, and graduating from Sandpoint High School in 1966.

John was a star athlete, excelling in football, basketball, wrestling, and track. He even took his gridiron talents to the University of Idaho, playing defensive line for the Vandals and earning his degree in biology. But John wasn't just about sports; he was an avid outdoorsman, spending his free time hunting, fishing, and soaking up the beauty of North Idaho. He even hit the slopes at Schweitzer Mountain the very first year it opened back in 1963.

John was a man of many talents and a dedicated educator. He taught school and coached football and wrestling in Wallace, Idaho, where he met the love of his life, Janice Kelly. They were married in Wallace on Aug. 23, 1975, and embarked on a 50-year adventure filled with laughter, shared passions, and the joy of deep friendships.

John's passion for coaching continued throughout his life, and he was a proud member of the coaching staff on the 1997 Sandpoint High School football state championship team. He loved watching his children and grandchildren compete in sports as well. He was their constant champion, cheering them on with a perfect blend of coach's wisdom, fatherly pride, and grandfatherly warmth, both on and off the field.

John's passion for building extended beyond the classroom and the coaching field. He was a skilled builder who left his mark on the Sandpoint landscape. He served as president of the Panhandle Builder Contractor Association and contributed to iconic projects like the Cedar Street Bridge and the Coeur d'Alene Resort. But perhaps his proudest creation was his own houseboat, affectionately named "The Big Daddy." Countless joyful memories were made with family and friends, swimming, laughing, and jumping off the top around the Cottage Islands in Hope. John also built his dream home on Baldy Mountain and his most recent home in Dover Bay, showcasing his craftsmanship and love for the area.

John's contributions to Sandpoint were widely recognized. He was inducted into the Sandpoint High School Athletic Hall of Fame and served on the North Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame selection committee for over 20 years. He was also a member of the Lost in the '50s Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame and the Sandpoint Elks Lodge. But perhaps his greatest legacy, beyond his family, was launching the Vocational Carpentry Program, which has helped countless young people in the Inland Northwest build successful careers in construction.

John is survived by his loving wife, Janice; his daughter, Kelly, and her husband, Jason Thielbahr, and their children, Max and Emma; his son, Ryan, and his wife, Megan, and their children, Aubrey and Drew; his brother, Mike, and his wife, Debbie; his sister, Pat Bocian; and his faithful dog, Lucky. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bob.

To honor John's memory and his dedication to education, the family has established the John Knowles Memorial Fund. Donations can be made in his name to support future generations of Sandpoint students.

John's life was a testament to the spirit of Sandpoint — a love for the outdoors, a dedication to community, and a passion for living life to the fullest. He will be forever remembered for his kindness, his generosity, and his unwavering love for his family and friends.

A public viewing will be held at Lakeview Funeral Home on Friday, Dec. 20, from 12-4 p.m.

A celebration of John's life will be held at Sandpoint Middle School on Saturday, Dec. 21, at noon, with a reception to follow at the Homestead Barn in Dover Bay at 1:30 p.m. Let's come together to remember a truly remarkable man and celebrate the incredible legacy he leaves behind.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit John’s online memorial at lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.