Earnest Gene Knotts

Earnest Gene Knotts, 80, passed away surrounded by family on Thursday December 28th, 2023 at Harborview Hospital in Seattle, WA.
Earnest was born in Hobbs New Mexico on January 24th, 1943. He was the only child of late Konstantina & Earnest A. Knotts. Earnest married the love of his life, Linda Jean, December 18, 1965. They shared 58 wonderful years together and had two children; Earnest Louis Knotts (Beverly) and Tamara Lynn Knotts (CJ) of Enumclaw Wa. He had 3 grandchildren, Alisha, Jordyn and EJ and 4 great-grandchildren, Eli, Warden, Myla and Mayzie .
Earnest graduated from Burges High School in 1962. He enlisted in the United States Air Force where he worked on airplane engines and proudly served his country for 20 years. After retiring from the military, he moved his family to Bonney Lake Wa, where Earnest finished his working career at Boeing.
When Earnest was 48 He received a life saving heart transplant that granted him 32 more beautiful years with his wife and ever growing family. As a younger man, Earnest enjoyed camping, fishing, sqaure dancing and bowling. In his golden years he spent his time with his family playing games, supervising projects and making plans to travel the country in his RV. Earnest was also an active member of the American Legion, a proud member of The Fraternal Order of Eagles, and attended Grace Point NW church.
In the 80 years Earnest lived, he was so many things to so many people. He was a son, a hero, a husband, a dad, a papa, an uncle, and a friend. All of these relationships were dear to him but his role as Papa brought him his greatest joy.
Earnest will be laid to rest at Tahoma National Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring, date Tbd.
"If ever there is a tomorrow when we're not together, there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart, I'll always be with you."

--Winnie The Pooh