George Marshall Knox

George Marshall Knox passed away at age 96 on January 26, 2026, leaving wonderful memories for those of us left behind. He had a positive influence on many people throughout his life.

George was born on July 9th, 1929 to Blair and Violet (Vining) Knox in Forest Grove, Oregon. He was the oldest of five children. His childhood was spent in Milwaukie and Canby, Oregon. Growing up during the depression he was able to earn extra money by raising rabbits he sold to a local market for meat. His favorite sport growing up was basketball, and he played in junior high and on an independent, competitive league of older fellows which he preferred over playing high school ball. He later was able to play a key role on his college team.

His family’s close relationship with their church led him to consider some kind of full time Christian service. He received bachelor's degrees from Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Oregon and Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma.  His sermons were well conceived, well organized, and well delivered. In fact, he taught other preachers how to preach. He accumulated many written and recorded sermons by great preachers, always looking for inspiration. His preaching career took him to churches in Portland, Roseburg, Milton-Freewater, and Eugene. He could be heard at many retreats and conventions as well. He even preached in Birmingham, England and Glasgow, Scotland. He led churches, church camps and trail camps in the Wallowa mountains of Oregon. Along with his wife, Frances, he led tours of Israel, Greece, Egypt, Kenya (twice), Germany, Switzerland, and Great Britain.  

He loved all kinds of sports. He played golf, college basketball, fly fished and enjoyed sports on TV in his later years.  He even coached Little League baseball.  As a faithful Duck, he especially loved all University of Oregon sports and wore his U of O sports gear when he could. For many years he had season tickets to all U of O football games.  He often would illustrate his sermon points by using sports analogies.

Not only was he a preacher, he was a teacher and scholar. Although he did not graduate from high school (being a few credits short) he went on to earn two bachelor’s degrees and a PhD in theology from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1986, and became a professor at Northwest Christian College, now Bushnell University in Eugene, Oregon. He taught at the college for about 27 years. He especially loved teaching future preachers and servants in the churches.

George was a loving husband of Frances (Herrington) for almost 76 years. They made a great team in leading the churches that they served, leading tours abroad, and in imparting knowledge and encouragement to the many students they encountered. Their voices blended very well singing duets together, especially one of their favorites, “Sipping Cider Through a Straw”.  Frances preceded him in death by just five months.  He was also preceded in death by his four siblings, Gilbert Knox, Shirley Kilborn, Everett Knox, and Luana Austin.  He was the father of three very proud children, Gary (Cheri) of Spokane, WA, Kathi Wells (Bob) of Portland, and Scott (Vicki) of Hoodsport, WA. He leaves behind eight grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

George has been a steadying force in the lives of his family and in the lives of many students and parishioners, and above all a faithful servant of the Lord. We now celebrate his long influential life and his passing into glory. A memorial service will be held at Turner Christian Church in Turner, OR on February 28th at 2:00 PM. Contributions may be made in memory of George to The George M. and Frances M. Knox Endowed Scholarship at Bushnell University in Eugene, and the Turner Retirement Homes.