Thomas Earl Knowles

Thomas “Tom” Earl Knowles, 94, of Charleston, SC, passed away on August 22, 2017, in Lexington, SC, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

He was the son of H. Earle and Avis K. Garrow, and was a long-time active member of Ashley River Baptist Church. He was born in Lima, Ohio, and was raised in the Chicago area. He was a graduate of Oak Park and River Forest Township High School in Oak Park, Illinois and a World War II veteran. He was retired from Wholesale Industrial Electronics. His career was in the radio and television industry as both a repair technician and salesman.

Tom is survived by his son, Bill (Nina) Knowles of Lexington, SC; his daughter, Sharon (Kevin) Manuel of Chesapeake, VA; four granddaughters: Mary (Tracy) Freeman of Greenville, SC; Kristin Knowles of Simpsonville, SC; Laura (John) Stack of Chamblee, GA and Heather Manuel of Chesapeake, VA; a grandson, Zack Manuel; a step-granddaughter, Catherine Warren; four step-grandsons: Warren (Anne) Strange, Todd (Dana) Strange and Michael Manuel; four great-grandsons: Austin Williams, Greyson Williams, Owen Stack and Elijah Stack; a step-great-granddaughter, Elise Warren; 5 step-great-grandsons: Dallas Turner, Preston Freeman, Max Warren, Brody Corley and Reese Warren; three sisters-in-law: Mary Anne Knowles of Belleville, WA; Gerri Knowles of Whitter, CA; Jackie Hatch of Henderson, NV; and numerous nephews and nieces in various locations around the country.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Francis Ruth Knowles; daughter, Janet Runey; son, Robert “Bob” Knowles and his daughter-in-law, Terry Knowles; his brothers: Bill Knowles and John Knowles; sister, Gloria Schwartz; his parents-in-law, John and Edna Hatch; and brother-in-law Gilbert Hatch.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Oakleaf Village in Lexington, SC, and the hospice staff of All Seasons Health, SC, for their loving care and attention to Tom’s needs.

The family of Tom Knowles will have a memorial gathering on Monday, August 28, 2017 at 1:00 PM until the time of his memorial service at 2:00 PM at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, West Ashley Chapel, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of SC, 4124 Clemson Blvd., Suite L, Anderson, SC 29621.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted to www.mcalister-smith.com.

Arrangements are provided by McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, West Ashley Chapel, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC. Phone 843-722-8371.