James “Jim” Franklin Knotek

Published 1:26 pm Wednesday, April 11, 2018

December 18, 1932 – March 25, 2018

James “Jim” Franklin Knotek passed away at the age of 85 on Sunday, March 25, 2018, at Ashley Manor, in Bend. Jim was born on December 18, 1932, to the late Julius and Frances (Lainson) Knotek in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in the county jail (an interesting, but separate story!).

Jim is survived by his wife of 35 years, Gail Anne Cunningham Knotek; his sons, Steven (wife, Leslie) of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Robert (partner, William) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; 3 grandchildren, Anna, Katie, and Christopher Knotek of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his sister, Judith “Cookie” Chavez; his son, James Daniel Knotek; as well as his ex-wife, Ruth Ellis Knotek.

Jim grew up in Denver, Colorado. He served in the Army for 3 years and was stationed in Livorno, Italy, during the Korean War. Jim earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver. He went on to earn his Master’s degree at Golden Gate University in San Francisco.

Jim lived and worked in San Francisco, California. He was a CPA and did auditing, taxation, and accounting work at Ernst and Ernst, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo Bank. He also taught auditing at San Francisco State University. He was on the board of directors of The Mexican Museum in San Francisco, as well as various charitable organizations in San Francisco.

Jim retired to Bend, Oregon, in 1995. He and Gail were members of the Bend Golf and Country Club. He worked part-time as a CPA during tax season for the first few years of retirement. Then from 2004 to 2012, Jim worked part-time for WindowAlert.

Jim loved photography, the arts, golf, hiking, camping, wine, and travel. Most of all, he loved Yosemite National Park. The best type of weekend was one spent camping, golfing, wine tasting with Gail and many friends.

Jim was a kind, loving, easy-going man and will be missed by all who knew him.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 26, 2018, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Bend Golf and Country Club, Country Club Drive, Bend, Oregon.

Contributions may be made to Partners In Care Hospice, 2075 NE Wyatt Court, Bend, Oregon 97701 or to the Humane Society of Central Oregon, 61170 SE 27th Street, Bend, Oregon 97702.

Arrangements by Baird Funeral Home, Bend, 541-382-0903. Please visit their website, www.bairdfh.com, to share condolences and sign the online guestbook.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Ashley Manor and to all the Partners In Care Hospice workers who touched Jim’s life.