Donald Oliver Knodell
1930-2017
Donald "Don" Oliver Knodell was born in Enterprise, Oregon to Clayton Leroy Knodell and Isel Hunter Knodell Hug on Aug. 1, 1930. He died Jan. 2, 2017 while shoveling snow - ending his life as he lived it, taking care of home and family, and not knowing he had any limitations. Don's father died when he was 11. He and his older brother William "Bill" Clayton Knodell worked to help support the family, and witnessed the strength and independence of their mother (who worked as newspaper reporter and city judge). He graduated from Enterprise High School in 1948 and remained lifelong friends with all his classmates. He had stories of his pioneer family, hunting adventures, and childhood mischief from every corner of Wallowa County, where he returned annually. He attended Oregon State University on a track scholarship and graduated in 1952 as an ROTC colonel. He served as a first lieutenant in the Air Force in Japan during the Korean War. After his service, he attended the University of Oregon for graduate work in accounting. He married Mary Coon Knodell in the St. Johns Cathedral in Spokane on June 22, 1957. They celebrated 59 years of marriage. They raised three beloved children he was very proud and supportive of. The family moved several times for Don's career, living in Portland, Walla Walla, and Boise. He worked 8 years in Portland for Price Waterhouse & Co. where he became a CPA (passing on his first exam) and audit manager. He joined Boise Cascade in 1964 and founded its internal audit department in 1965. During his 21-year tenure there he worked in many management positions and functions. He was a mentor and friend to many of his colleagues. He successfully petitioned the state accounting commission so that his staff members could qualify to take the CPA exam based on their work experience. Don retired in 1985 at age 55. He enjoyed investing, gambling trips to Nevada, international travel, mushroom hunting, meals out with his wife, lunch and poker with friends, cultural festivals, and watching the golfers at Eagle Hills. Don took great pride and care in providing for his family. He was a caretaker, cheerleader, short order cook; a Republican who supported women's and gay rights, and a devoted husband and father who was always busy with something. He was president of the Eagle Hills #3 Homeowners Association for over 30 years, and served as treasurer at the time of his passing. Don was preceded in death by his oldest son Mark in 2001. He is survived by his wife Mary, of Eagle. Idaho; by his brother Bill Knodell of Portland, Ore; and by his children Kristi Knodell (wife Kristin Kinnamon) of Marysville, Wash.; and Scott Knodell of Boise, Idaho. Services will be at 3 p.m. April 21, 2017 at Boise Unitarian Universalist Church, 6200 Garret St., Garden City. Interment at Idaho Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.
Published in Idaho Statesman on Jan. 8, 2017
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