John Henry Knowles

John Henry Knowles, 78, passed away on Friday, February 14, 2025. Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Griffin Mortuary Chapel. Private Disposition under the direction of Griffin Mortuary. John Henry Knowles was born in Hearne, Texas, to Otis and Rosie Lee Knowles on April 6, 1946. In the early 1950s, the family moved to Lubbock, Texas, where he received his primary and secondary education in the Lubbock Independent School District, graduating from Dunbar High School in 1967. The family were devoted members of Bethel AME Methodist Church.

In 1967, John proudly joined the United States Marine Corps and served in the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in 1970 and began his civilian life in Oakland, California. There, he met Ms. Leola Hayes, and through their union, he became the father of a daughter, Loretta Hayes, and a son, Kofie Knowles.

John later returned to Lubbock in the 1980s, where he retired as a Disabled Veteran. In 2015, he was honored as a member of the 1963 Dunbar High School Football Team, which was inducted into the Lubbock ISD Athletic Hall of Fame for winning the 1963 State Football Championship.

John had a voice as deep as the ocean and a smile that could light up a room, and although he was a bit of an introvert, there was never any doubt about how deeply he loved his family and cherished his grandsons.

He was preceded in death by his son, Kofie Knowles; father, Otis Knowles; sister, Georgia Palmer; grandmother, Annie Mae Jones; and his former partner, Ms. Leola Hayes.

He is survived by his mother, Rose Wilson; brothers, Charles Knowles (Rose) and Tommy Knowles; sister, Annie Johnson; daughter, Loretta Hayes; daughter-in-law, Diva Beals-Knowles; grandsons, Ryshod Roberts, Kofie Knowles, Jr., Kodie Knowles, and Korie Knowles; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends