Eugene B. Knox

December 16, 1926 – July 26, 2024

97 Years Old

Long-time Orange resident Eugene “Gene” Knox passed away early Friday morning July, 26, 2024 at his home in Orange.  Gene was born in Fairmont, Nebraska to Lloyd and Florence Knox and was the eldest of five children.  He often talked about riding his pony to the country schoolhouse with his younger sister behind him. Gene’s family later moved to Hebron where he attended Hebron High School and then enlisted in the Army during WWII.  After the war was over he returned to Nebraska where in 1948 he met and married Norma Leff. To this marriage two daughters were born. 

Gene worked on his uncle’s farm for a few years, but in 1956 decided to move his family to Santa Ana, California for better job opportunities.  Gene worked as a mechanic for several years and later used those skills as a precision grinder in the aerospace industry where he stayed until retiring in 1989 after over 25 years. 

In 1968 Gene met and married Norma Mansfield who had three daughters.  Gene then became a father of 5 daughters.  They were married for 27 years until Norma lost her fight with cancer in 1995.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Norma; brothers Marvin and Wayne, sister, Sharon; stepdaughters Cynthia Bailey, Shelia Butler, Sandra Mendelson and two grandsons. 

He is survived by his partner of 28 years, Carolyn Ford; sister, Delores Schliep; daughters Kathy Johnston and Kristy Rudisell; 9 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren as well as other family and friends.

Gene will most be remembered for the love he shared, his kindness, infectious laugh and the jokes he loved to tell.

Military burial will take place on Friday, August 9, 2024 at 2PM at Riverside National Cemetary in Riverside County, CA.