March 24, 1933 — November 22, 2024

Washingtonville, New York

James passed away peacefully at home with his loving wife, Lucy, by his side on November 22. He was 91 years of age.

Born March 24, 1933, in Brooklyn to Dorothy Ann Soper and James William Knox Jr, James created and lived a wonderful life.

After graduating from James Monroe High School in the Bronx, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served proudly and honorably onboard the USS Preston DD 795 during the Korean War.

Preston's mission was to provide ground cover for our troops on the Korean mainland. After the war, he entered trade school in Manhattan, studying to become a high-end pressman.

His first job in the trade was with the prestigious H.W Wilson publishing company in The Bronx. His final career move was in 1967 when he accepted a position at Achrovure, a division of Union Camp, in Englewood, NJ. Achrovure produced high-quality prints that were state-of-the-art. 

James printed U.S. postal stamps, master art reproductions, advertisements, black-light posters, and so much more. The Achrovure job allowed James to move his family out of the Castle Hill projects in the Bronx to a single-family home in Monroe. 

Retiring in 1995 at 62, James never looked back, keeping an active lifestyle throughout the remainder of his life. Hobbies, passions? The man was always keeping himself busy. 

James was an avid gardener, growing fruits and vegetables. He raised turkeys and rabbits. His family ate organically before it was fashionable! 

James was one of the first to recycle. Before cash deposits on bottles and cans, he would take long walks, collect them, and bring them to the Reynolds plant in Wallkill, where the bag of cans would be weighed and paid accordingly. 

He was a long-time volunteer with Meals On Wheels and a member of VFW Post 488 in Monroe, marching in the Memorial Day parade for many years. James loved hunting, fishing, biking, hiking, bird watching, coin collecting, golfing, traveling the world, and wintering in Florida. He was a powerful swimmer and loved being in the water, pool, lake, or ocean. 

What James enjoyed most of all was being with his family and friends, keeping them entertained with his crazy humor. His jovial, upbeat personality and laughter were infectious. Those times will certainly be missed but not forgotten. We are all so blessed to have had him in our lives. 

James is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Lucy, at home. Son James IV of Bridgton, Maine. Daughter Roseanne Knox Lange and husband Philip of Blooming Grove. Grandchildren, Jeremy, Ian,

Eric, Hannah, and Trevor. Great grandchildren, Nathaniel, Jack, and Benita. His brothers Donald of Landing, N,J., and Douglas of Perth, Australia, also survive him.

He is predeceased by his sister Patricia, brother Robert, and Granddaughter Erin. 

Donations in James's honor can be sent to Hospice of Orange County. 

Brendan and Thomas Flynn of Oxford Hills Crematory, Inc., Chester, N.Y., provided cremation care.

The family entrusted James's care to the Flynn family and Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Center staff.

A Life Celebration will be held on December 6, 2024, at 1:00 PM at the Grace Community Church, 2839, NY Route 94, Washingtonville, New York 10992.

Grace Community Church Telephone Number is (845) 496-4372

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