Thomas Milton Knapp's Obituary
Thomas Knapp, age 71, of Centerville, Iowa, died Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at his home in Centerville. He was born the son of Kenneth and Jean (Starns) Knapp on August 30, 1941 in Centerville. He graduated from the Centerville Community High School in 1959. While in high school, Thom saw a house that was afire in his neighborhood and pulled a victim from the fire. After graduation, he joined the Air Force and served well and was a much decorated service member and left the service with many honors. He then migrated to Marathon, Florida to be with his father and worked for the the Mosquito Control for the county and flew as a duster. He also had a twin beach plane of his own and being a Cherokee Indian descendant who did not recognize colonial borders and flew wherever he wanted, and that included Cuba. He also worked with Mel Fisher in Key West to develop the 'mailbox' prototype that was used to blow sand away from the discovered shipwrecks and is used as a standard today still in the industry in recovery efforts. Tom was exceptional and super intelligent and was always the 'go to person' for facts and figures. Tom worked many years at Young Radiator in Centerville, and retired in 1999. He had a great love for restoring classic cars, and would restore many during his lifetime. He was known for his writings and putting his thoughts down on paper so as to create a story. In 2010, he was united in marriage to Mary Jane Vinton in Ottumwa, Iowa. He was preceded in death by: his parents, and a sister, Sally Kendall.Tom was survived by: his wife, Mary Jane Vinton of Centerville, Iowa; sons, Brandon Knapp and his wife, Jennifer of Centerville, Iowa and Shannon Knapp of Centerville, Iowa; step-daughters, Regan Findling and her husband, Aaron of Perrysburg, Ohio and Risa Phearse and her husband, Brandon of Frisco, Texas; three grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren; a brother, sisters, Nancy Reynolds of Sarasota, Florida and Kathy Baker of Albia, Iowa.A Public visitation will be held on Monday, August 19, 2013 from 1 pm until 7 pm at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville and the family will be present from 4 pm until 6 pm at the funeral home. Memorials can be made to the donor's choice and left or mailed to the funeral home. The To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Thomas Milton Knapp please visit our Sympathy Store.
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