Knowles, Charles

Charles Knowles

Services: Have been held.

Mr. Charles Knowles of Portales, 73, of Portales died Sunday, Dec. 7, 2003, in Farmington.

He was born on June 6, 1930, in Waco, Texas, to Virginia and Fred R. Knowles.

He came to Portales as a young boy. He has driven trucks his entire life, and was out on the truck when he died. When he was a boy his first job was driving for Haskell Doyal. He served in the Air Force from 1949 until 1953. He has driven for many different men, including J.A. Ray, J.D. Ray, Earl Busby, Slim Ervin and Clifford Merrick. He has been self-employed for the past 20 years. He married Vita Hahn on Nov. 18, 1953. Family members said he was a loving and devoted husband and family man. He had nicknames for all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved trucks and had a collection of several model trucks. He was a member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, M.R. Knowles and Fred Richard Knowles Jr.; a sister, Bessie Huens; and a son, Dennis.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Ron Knowles of Portales; three daughters, Brenda Hardin (and husband, Don) of Portales, Charlotte Blandford (Jerry) of Las Cruces and Carolyn Knowles of Portales; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a brother, R.B. Knowles of Portales; and two sisters, Betty Hahn and Mary Hahn, both of Portales.

The Rev. Walter Huber will officiate the services.

Burial will be at Portales Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Justin Hardin, Steven Merrick, Cody Goehry, Bart Bronniman, Ronny Miller and Jeff Buttner.

Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.