Tom was born January 10, 1946 in Decatur, Illinois and grew up in Casa Grande, Arizona. After attending St. Anthony’s School, and graduating from Casa Grande Union High School in 1964, he attended Northern Arizona University from 1964 to 1966, where he met his wife of 46 years, Joanne (Johnson) Knapp. Tom and Joanne were long-time Flagstaff residents and raised both of their daughters, Suzanne and Carey in Flagstaff, where they both graduated from NAU. Tom was the resident claims adjuster for Allstate Insurance Company for 11 years when he started a building products company, specializing in new construction and remodeling. In 1993, Tom partnered with his brother Jim in Casa Grande, Arizona marketing laser equipment to the mining industry in Arizona and Nevada. Tom retired in 1998 due to health issues and he and Joanne moved to Gilbert, Arizona in 2005.
Tom loved to hunt and fish, but especially to fly. Other than his family, his pride and joy was his L-19 Bird Dog, which he flew down from Alaska and fully restored.
Tom is survived by his wife, Joanne, daughters Carey (Todd) Chambers and Suzanne Daniell, all of Gilbert. He is also survived by grandchildren Brenna Chambers, Blake Chambers, Jordan Daniell and Grayson Daniell. Two brothers, John D. Knapp (Michelle) of Fresno, California and James A. Knapp (Carol) of Casa Grande, Arizona, many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, John D. Knapp, Sr. and Martha M. Knapp and brother William C. Knapp.
A private service will be held in Ivesdale, Illinois in August, with inurnment at Ivesdale Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park and Funeral Care, 400 South Power Road, Mesa, Arizona 85206, (480) 830-4422. Please leave a tribute to Tom on the family's website at www.MariposaGardens.com.
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