Leland L. Knox

Leland L Knox, 100 years, 8 months and 18 days old of Galena Park, Texas graduated to Heaven on April 18, 2025. He was born in Lovelady, TX on July 31, 1924 to Irene and Emmit Knox. He was married to the love of his life, Velma Cotharn Knox for 75 years when she passed in 2017. Leland was born a farm boy and worked on the farm as the oldest of 6 children. He first saw Velma while walking eggs to barter at the county store with his mother one day, and he told his mother right then that he just saw his next girlfriend... the rest is history and he lived to serve Christ first, then his loving wife, then his family. Leland and Velma had a son, Leland Ray Knox, who served as a police officer for Galena Park when he passed and their daughter, Doris Monheiser, who remained a Daddy's Girl all these years. Doris and her Dad had a standing phone call every morning at 10 a.m. and evening at 8p.m. for as many years as the family can remember. Leland insisted on staying in the home he shared with his wife, despite the family's efforts. He built that home with his own two hands and passed peacefully in it as he desired.

Leland worked proudly as a machinist and maintenance technician for the Hughes Tool Corporation from 1942 until his retirement in October 1986. He had a brilliant mechanical mind and was often considered the best and only technician that could get machines running again back in the day. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church Galena Park and served there as a Deacon since 1958, being ordained at 34 years of age. He taught Sunday School Bible study to both students and adults through the years and first taught at just 21 years old. He accepted his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in 1936 and was baptized at 12 years old, serving Christ daily ever since. Leland was a Mason with the Galena Park Lodge and was honored with a lifetime achievement award in February of this year! He faithfully served his community of Galena Park, being awarded many model citizen awards from the city council and police department through the years, of which he was always proud. He was so well-loved by all his friends of Galena Park.

Leland attended school in Pearson Chapel and Weldon, TX where he played softball, basketball and ran track. He was the pitcher for his softball team, and forward for the basketball team where he led the team in 32 wins with just 36 games junior year. He shared his senior year was not so good. He was fast though, earning the first- place track medal in the county his senior year. The school was near the local prison, and his girlfriend Velma's Daddy was the Prison Guard, so Leland kept things on the straight and narrow and was absolutely a gentleman.

It's no secret that he had a passion for sharing Jesus Christ with all people he met. He had a heart attack mowing the church lawn in 1998 and upon recovering went into cardiac arrest and had a triple bypass a few weeks later. He shared Jesus with every single nurse, doctor and medical professional. Through the years, and four different pace-maker surgeries, the most recent replacement this past year, he continued to share the love of Jesus from his hospital bed. He lived to support his diabetic wife, always taking care of her and serving her every need - coffee and her meds ready every morning upon her waking, checking her blood sugars. His family was also his passion as detailed by the multitude of family pictures displayed in his home - even the great great-grandkids! He loved to deer hunt and has been hunting and fishing since he was a young boy and cherished the memories made on the family lease with brothers, brothers in law, nephews, and later grandchildren. He fell in love with gardening and taking care of his rose garden and tended to them up until he was placed in hospice care just 3 weeks prior to his passing.

Leland was proceeded in death by his precious wife of 75 years, Velma Knox, his parents Irene and Emmit Knox, his son Leland Ray Knox and grandchildren Dennis Ray Knox and Gayla Knox Clark. He was the oldest of 6, and all five of his brothers/sisters and their spouses passed from this earth before him. Betty Lynn Knox died as a young toddler, Nita and Raymond Knox, Wendy and Travis Knox, Hazel and Walter Henry and Doris and Eugene Krizak.

Leland leaves behind his beautiful and dedicated daughter Doris Jane Monheiser, who patiently cared for him beyond expectation. He was so very proud of his daughter and everyone around him knew this! He also leaves behind his three granddaughters and their spouses - Rebecca and Jody Rowland, Stacey and Glenn Traylor and Latricia and Lindon Williams II. He leaves eleven great-grandchildren and their spouses - Renee and John Howard, Gailynn and Josh Williford, Taylor and Daniel Matejko, Sarah and Forrest Yelverton, Hannah Yelverton, Kennedy Rowland, Gary Rowland, Nicole Traylor, Collin Traylor, Lindsey Williams and Lane Williams.

Finally, Leland is survived by four precious great, great-grandchildren and the fifth on the way - Jonah and JJ Williford, Cates Matejko, Emaree Yelverton and baby Calloway due in just 3 months. All four great, great-grandchildren attended his 100th birthday celebration in July!

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that friends and family make donations to First Baptist Church Galena Park in memorandum of Leland Knox. Leland would be so thrilled to further the work for the Kingdom of Christ through the ministries of his faithful church. Zelle accepted to email; fbcgalenapark.com with Leland Knox noted, or sent to:

First Baptist Church Galena Park

206 Woolfe St

Galena Park, TX 77547

A visitation for Leland will be held Friday, April 25, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Pasadena Funeral Chapel, 2203 PASADENA BLVD, PASADENA, TX 77502. A celebration of life will occur Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Galena Park First Baptist Church, TX. A committal service will occur Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Wheat Cemetery, Millican, TX.