RUMFORD – Kenneth E. Knox, 86, of Dixfield past away peacefully on Tuesday, March 25, surrounded by his family.

He was born to Gerald and Hattie Knox on July 22, 1921, in Peru. Ken attended schools in Dixfield and Peru.

In July 1942, he married Norma Jackson, just weeks before leaving to serve his country in the U.S. Army Air force.

He was deployed to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, after being trained as a sharpshooter and an airplane mechanic. He was honorably discharged in 1945, and returned home to his family in Peru.

He worked at the Stowell MacGregor Co. in Dixfield for 30 years, and after realizing he wasn’t quite ready for retirement, went to work for Tiny Carlton at Griffin’s Gas Service in Dixfield, where the regulars would see him at the desk for several years.

In his spare time, he loved tinkering with anything mechanical and spending time at Dummer’s Beach Campground, where he and his wife Norma spent summers for more than 30 years. He also enjoyed their yearly trips to the Fryeburg Fair and spending time with his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Norma; brothers Eugene of Rumford and Jimmy of Buckfield; sisters, Lila Bell and Muriel Buswell, both of Buckfield, Elaine Boggs of Florida, and Verlie Hubbard of Tennessee; daughters, Rose Knox of Dixfield, Kathy and her husband, Rick Andrews, of Rumford; sons, Jerry and wife, Sandra, of Dixfield and Joe and his companion, Sandra Berry, of Weld; 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and two very special friends, Peter Coyne of Portland and Alicia Peterson-Pruitt, currently serving in the U.S. Army.

He was predeceased by his parents, Gerald and Hattie; his stepmother, Gladys; sisters, Annie Barker and Velma Knox; brothers, Bobby and Elwin; and nephew, Maurice Voter.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff at Rumford Community Hospital, especially Sue Swasey, Becky Scott and Mindy Worthley.