Marysvale, Utah - Our husband, father, grandfather, friend, and neighbor, Jeffery Thomas Knowles, passed away at his home on July 31, 2026.

Jeffery was born on March 31, 1956 to James William and Alberta Gabriel Hulsebosch Knowles in Camden, New Jersey. He lived in Troy Ohio when he started school, but grew up in Omaha, Nebraska where he attended Holy Name High School. In his youth he served as an alter boy in the catholic church and he learned to be independent and hard working, paying his way through catholic school working as a janitor, then finishing high school working as a bag boy and cashier at a grocery store. These attributes served him well throughout his life. After graduation high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served for 20 years. He started on a diesel submarine and got a chance to spend a winter in Antactica, he enjoyed it so much he spent a second winter there.

Jeffery married Cinda Marie Phelps in 1980. Their son Joshua was born in 1981 and a few years later they were divorced.

While living in San Diego he spent a lot of time riding 3-wheelers in the Glamis Sand Dunes and met famous racers that he helped in the pits when they raced in the Baja 1000.

While in the Navy he worked on a 3 man deep submergence sub while involved with the submarine rescue system where he became a Chief Petty Officer. Later he returned to serving on a nuclear sub named Salt Lake City, became a Senior Chief and continued until he retired in 1994.

After retiring from the Navy, he moved to Usk in north eastern Washington. Between 1994 and 2007 he worked as an electrician and became a licensed construction contractor in Idaho. He met his sweetheart, Jeanne Knowles in Oldtown, Idaho and they were married in Couer d'Alene, Idaho on September 29, 2000.

Jeffery and Jeanne moved back to San Diego in 2007 where he contracted with Magpie Inc. to work on a submarine rescue team. He traveled the world training other countries to prepare if they needed the U.S. to rescue a sub. In 2011 they moved to Marysvale and helped run Lizzie and Charlie's ATV Rental Business, (when he wasn't busy traveling the world). He also served as the Marysvale Chamber of Commerce President, Piute County GOP Chairman, served as the Pite County Director on the Pite Trail Committee for many years, and was also on the Marysvale Town Board. Jeff put on the Marysvale Memorial Day Program for many years honoring the veterans from Marysvale and always including the young men and a few young women in the program.

Together they rebuilt and opened Lizzie & Charlie's Rag Rug Shop in 2012. They lived life to the fullest, accompanying and supporting each other through many of life's adventures and were dedicated to each other until his passing.

Jeffery is survived by his wife Jeanne; his son Josh (Meagan) Knowles; his step-sons: Jered (Shannon) Merrifield; Justin (Kelsey) Merrifield his grandchildren: Adaline and Landon Merrifield; his siblings: Jim (Ann) Knowles; Karen (Tom) Hosier; John (Karen) Knowles; Robert (Emily) Knowles.

He was preceded in death by his father and his younger brother, Peter Knowles.

Following his cremation, memorial services for Jeffery will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, August 14, 2026 in Marysvale LDS Ward Chapel, 432 West Bullion Avenue, where a visitation will be held starting at 10:00 A.M. prior to the services.

Burial with Military Honors will be accorded by the Sevier Valley American Legion Post #37 and the United States Navy Honor Guard in the Marysvale Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Homes of Richfield and Salina, Utah.