Charles Edward Knowles passed away January 8, 2022. He was born July 31, 1940, the son of Alma Parmelia (Beers) and Edgar Louis Knowles in Newton County, Missouri. Charles was the second of seven children.

He graduated from Mt. Vernon, MO High School in 1957 and joined the US Marine Corps, serving from 1957-1961. Charles attended Franklin Technical College majoring in electronics. He began his career in the microfilm/microfiche industry as a young man with Bell & Howell Corp. Charles was well known throughout the United States as the person to call for delivery, installation, parts, and service. He traveled a great deal across the U.S. in this line of work.

Charles married Constance Ann Knowles, to which 3 children were born: Cheryl Ann, Susan Wynn and Nancy Leigh.  On February 7, 1977, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Keith Rambo and her son Wade Rambo.  Terry Bradley then joined the family to make them complete. Charles was very knowledgeable on many subjects and was a mentor to many.

The kids can remember many trips where a loaf of white bread and a pound of bologna were the food staples of the trip, however, on one occasion, the kids were very excited to stop at a restaurant and upon being seated, he promptly ordered "five specials". This did not change much when the grandkids came along.

Charles liked to hunt and was a great fishing partner, as long as you didn't talk. He was known for making the best fried potatoes and biscuits and gravy. He knew every grandchild's favorite food. If anyone ever needed anything, he would be there at the drop of a hat. He enjoyed his garden at the Community Garden in Springfield and could never give away all his tomatoes and cucumbers.

Charles was certain that computers were a passing fad proven by the flip phone he had up until his passing. Charles was an avid reader with John Sandford being one of his favorites. He was sure that John Wayne never made a bad movie. A Stanley Thermos was part of Charles' daily ensemble along with his Dickies pants and flannel shirts.

Charles is survived by five children: Cheryl Eversole, Susan and Aaron Burkey, Nancy and Jeff King, Wade and Lori Rambo, and Terry and Jennifer Bradley; grandchildren: Derek and Amber Jones, Krista Olson, Katie Olson, Megan Woods, Trey and Tawni Rambo, Candace Jones, Skylar and Andrew Mueller, Jordan and Michael Durbin, Alexis and Ashton Tice, Trace and Ashton Bradley, and Travis Bradley; great-grandchildren: Tristan Woods, Caylee Graves, Mattox Durbin, Tate Bradley, Beau Rambo, Madison Jones, Brody Rambo, Rilynn Bradley, James Tice, Alba Durbin, and Cy Woods; siblings: Eddie Riley, Dale and Glenda Knowles, Larry and Betty Knowles, and John and Mary Knowles.

He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Jack Knowles and Jim Knowles.

Visitation will be from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM, Wednesday, January 12, 2022 in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be at 2:00 PM in the funeral home.  Burial will follow at Garden of Memory in Buffalo, Missouri.

Pallbearers: Derek Jones, Trey Rambo, Andrew Mueller, Travis Bradley, Michael Durbin, Curtis Peters

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Buffalo United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 134, Buffalo, MO 65622.