James T. "Jim" Knowles, age 72, of Washington, Iowa, died Tuesday, December 3, 2019, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Celebration of life services will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 8, 2019, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home with Pastor Kwang Song officiating. Calling hours will begin 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. Saturday. Military honors will be accorded by members of the United States Naval Academy. Memorials have been established for the Portsmouth Submarine Memorial Association. Online condolences may be sent for Jim's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com

James Thomas Knowles was born September 14, 1947, in Danville, Illinois, the son of Charles T. and Elinor G. (Ogle) Knowles. He graduated from Farmersburg High School in Farmersburg, Indiana and received his Associate Degree in Mechanical Design from Black Hawk Community College. Jim served honorably in the United States Navy from 1965 until 1969. He was united in marriage to Jean Beemblossom on July 8, 1989, in Washington, Iowa.

Jim has resided in Washington, Iowa, since 2003. He lived in the Quad Cities and in Illinois from 1969 until 1983, and lived in Ottumwa, Iowa from 1983 until 2003. He was General Manager at Bazooka Farmstar, Inc. for nine years retiring in 2012. Jim was a member of the United Methodist Church, National Corvette Owners Association, National Rifle Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, Harley Owners Group and the American Legion. Jim thoroughly enjoyed being outdoors where he liked hunting and fishing and he was an avid gun collector. He cherished the time spent with his family, grandchildren and his Black Labs.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Knowles of Washington, Iowa; daughter Laura (Eric) Kies of Bettendorf, Iowa; son, Tyler (Brooke) Knowles of Waunakee, Wisconsin; and five grandchildren: Maddox and Kennon Kies; Carter, Reid and Cashin Knowles. Jim is also survived by his niece Kathy (David) Menough and family of Fredrick, Colorado, niece Kelly (Chuck Goldone) Walton and family of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; and sister-in-law, Veta (Mark) Thode and their children Jaci and Alex.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ann Knowles; and his maternal and paternal grandparents.