David Knowlton

David C. Knowlton passed away peacefully on April 19th at the age of 97. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jack W. Knowlton; sister, Nancy K. Bray; his first wife of 30 years, Vera Jean Kunz; and his stepson-in-law, Jerry Schwartz. He is survived by his second wife of 39 years, Margaret Rose Knowlton; his three daughters, Judy Reins (John) in Bozeman, Montana; Kay Knowlton (Jeff Childs) in Hotchkiss, Colorado; Joy Kinney (John) in Morrison, Colorado; his stepdaughter, Carrie Harmon in Atlanta, Georgia; his stepson, Chris Harmon (Jackie) in Savannah, GA; and by his nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Dave was born in Amarillo, Texas on Christmas day in 1927. He was the youngest child of Georgiebelle Musser and Donald R. Knowlton. His father was an engineer with Phillips Petroleum living, during Dave’s early years, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. When his dad was chosen to be U.S. National Director of Petroleum during WWII, the family moved to Washington D.C. Dave and his brother were enrolled at Greenbriar Military Academy where, at the age of 14, he learned to be self-reliant, resilient and purposeful. He subsequently served as a Sergeant and paratrooper in the Army at the end of WWII and trained paratroopers at Fort Carson for the Korean War. After his discharge, Dave took the majority of his undergraduate classes at the University of Colorado in Boulder but obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Law from the University of Denver and then got his Juris Doctorate from the University of Colorado.

He practiced oil and gas law in downtown Denver primarily with his longtime friend, Richard Downing, both partners in the firm of Clanahan, Tanner, Downing and Knowlton. Dave was also a frequent lecturer at the Institute for Energy Department at the University of Oklahoma. He was a principled, dedicated and respected lawyer until his retirement in the late 1990s.

Dave was an active member in numerous local clubs and community organizations, including the Denver Country Club and the University Club, where he participated in many of their Twelfth Night shows. He also served on multiple local boards, including the Board of Governors for the Colorado Bar Association. Dave was one of the original season ticket holders (#53) for the Denver Broncos, when the American Football League was started. His love for the team never wavered or waned and, in 2006, he was honored on the field during a halftime ceremony for being one of just a handful of people who had kept their tickets since 1960.

Dave lived his entire adult life in Colorado, and he embraced virtually every one of the many blessings that the state had to offer, most especially the mountain towns of Aspen and Creede. He was an avid skier, hiker, fisherman, horseback rider, golfer, and tennis player. Dave shared these activities with family and friends, taking his final ski turns at Winter Park on his 80th birthday and playing his last round of golf (while three-putting for the final time) at the age of 95.

Dave was a gentleman and was comfortable in any circumstance or setting. His social graces and easy manner made those around him comfortable, as well. He was good company. Dave could tell a joke and take a joke. He had a big heart, a short backswing, a long temper, a sweet tooth, and a zest for life that was readily apparent to all.

Dave Knowlton lived a long, full and happy life, maintaining his optimistic outlook and great sense of humor up to the very end. For that we are so grateful. He was a kind and honorable man who will be greatly missed. He touched each of us in different ways, so his memory will absolutely live on.

A private memorial service will be held. Contributions may be made to The Salvation Army at P.O. Box 2369 Denver, CO 80201 or The Creede Repertory Theatre at 124 Main Street Creede, CO 81130.