Neal Knox
Neal Knox, former vice president of the National Rifle Association and long-time leader of the gun rights movement, died at his home on January 17, 2005 following a year-long battle with colon cancer. He was sixty-nine. He is survived by his wife, Jay Janen Knox (Shirley) and his four children; Christopher, Shan, Jeffrey, Stacey, and seven grandchildren.
Born Clifford Neal Knox on June 20, 1936 in Rush Springs, Oklahoma, Neal spent most of his early life in Texas, graduating from Vernon, Texas High School and attending Abilene Christian College. His early working years included eight years in the Texas National Guard, stints in insurance and the oil business, and assignments as a reporter for the Vernon Daily Record and, later, the Wichita Falls Times and Record News. At that same time, he was demonstrating his life-long interest in firearms as a freelance writer for several gun magazines.
Neals interest in guns eventually led to his becoming the founding editor of Gun Week newspaper, followed by the editorship of Handloader magazine and the creation of Rifle magazine. From 1978 to 1982, he served as Executive Director of the Institute for Legislative Action, the lobbying arm of the National Rifle Association.
Since 1984, as chairman of the Firearms Coalition, Neal has dedicated himself to writing, speaking and lobbying for the development and support of grassroots gun rights organizations.
During his life, Neal competed in, and often won, competitions in virtually every shooting discipline, including winning a national title in bench rest. In addition to his shooting interests, he was an accomplished pilot, holding instrument and multi-engine ratings.
A memorial service has been scheduled for 10:30 A.M., Thursday, January 20, at the Manassas Church of Christ, 8110 Signal Hill Road in Manassas, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Firearms Coalition Neal Knox Memorial Fund, Box 3313, Manassas, VA 20108. Tax-deductible donations may be made to Academics for the Second Amendment Neal Knox Memorial Fund. Contributions may also be made in his name to the Rainbow Childrens Home in Gainesville, Virginia.
A message from Neal Knox: From the Desk of
Neal Knox The Firearms Coalition
PO Box 3313
Manassas, VA 20108
5 January 2005
Dear Friends,
Ive always made it a point to deliver the news to you straight good or bad. Now Im afraid I have some unpleasant news. As youre aware, I have been fighting colon cancer for the past year. The doctors tell me that my fight is almost over.
I believe in miracles. I believe in Gods healing power and eternal life through Jesus Christ. I know it will take nothing short of a miracle for me to win this battle.
Should that miracle be granted, I will rejoice; but I rejoice nonetheless, for Ive been blessed with a wonderful life, a great family, work that I love, and many wonderful friends. Most of all, I thank God for my long-suffering wife Jay Janen who not only put up with me, but has actively supported my efforts for the Second Amendment for nearly forty-nine years.
Its been a great run!
I had always assumed that long life was my birthright. My father passed away just this past fall at the age of ninety-two.
I counted on the same sort of life-span and was planning accordingly. Weve barely settled into that house in the country that Ive been promising Jay for so long. I started rebuilding her classic Mustang convertible and have it in pieces in the basement garage. Ive laid out a 100- yard range next to the house, and was looking forward to having my dear friend Ken Oehler help me set up a ballistics lab in the basement.
Time for those projects was budgeted into the next generation of the Firearms Coalition. The plan was to have sons, Chris and Jeff take more prominent roles in the fight, freeing me up to do other things like shooting and writing books. Jeff moved out here for that purpose over a year ago but my illness sidetracked those plans.
I have long wanted to evolve the Firearms Coalition into a resource for grassroots activists and organizations. The goals of the Coalition would be to provide activists with the resources, training, and technology they need to be more effective in the fight.
Now, I hope you will help Jay and the boys as it looks like they will be taking on this important task without me.
There will be more details in the weeks and months to come, including a new book that Chris, Jeff and I have been collaborating on. I regret that I am unlikely to see it in print, but I am confident in their ability to see it through.
I am thankful for you and the many other friends that have blessed my life making me a truly wealthy man. There have been disagreements, even fights, but the goal of freedom has been a unifying force.
I ask your prayers, both for me and for my family, especially for Jay who never expected to see me go first.
I urge you to continue the fight. Continue your support of the ongoing efforts of the Firearms Coalition and keep the grass roots growing.
Thank you for keeping me in the fight for all these years.
As always: Yours for the Second Amendment,
Neal
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Neal passed away early this morning, January 17. He was surrounded by our children and his brothers and went quickly without pain.
A memorial service has been scheduled for Thursday, January 20, at the Manassas Church of Christ, 8110 Signal Hill Road in Manassas, Virginia. The service will begin at 10:30 AM with a luncheon to follow.
It was Neals wish that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Firearms Coalition or to Rainbow Childrens Home in Gainesville, VA.
Firearms Coalition
P.O. Box 3313
Manassas, VA 20108
Rainbow Christian Services
6004 Artemus Rd.
Gainesville, VA
Neals condition deteriorated so rapidly that there wasnt time to get the above- letter out before his death. He very much wanted to let you, as a faithful friend, know what was going on. We will post more information on the web site,
www.NealKnox.com.
I cant tell you how much Neal has loved the difficult work to which he has dedicated his life. It has cost us much while at the same time being extremely rewarding in so many ways. The greatest reward has been the love and friendship that we have found along the way.
Youre an important part of that.
Thank you so much,
Jay Janen Knox
Obituary
