Obituary for James Windell Knutson
James ‘Jim’ Windell Knutson, 82, of Amarillo, passed away on Monday, March 18, 2024. Services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, March 22, 2024 at Hillside Christian Church West Campus Chapel with Danny White officiating. Graveside services will be at 3:00 P.M. on Friday at Hillcrest Cemetery in McLean.
He was born August 11, 1941 in Wheeler County, four miles east of McLean, Texas in a remote farmhouse with little to no amenities. The floors were dirt and there was no insulation in the walls or roof. The only running water came from whoever went outside and brought it in the fastest. Heat was provided by a wood burning stove and if snow fell during the night, they would often wake up under a dusting of snow on their blanket that blew in through the cracks in the wooden structure. Needless to say, times were challenging.
Windell attended school in McLean and graduated in 1959. Involved mostly in small-time mischief, he and his friends found ways to impress the girls at the drive-in over in Shamrock. Later that same year on a double-blind date with his best friend, Windell met Eydie Vick, a beautiful young lady who worked at the drive-in. While on a drive one night, they were victims of a severe accident caused by a drunk driver that nearly took both their lives. Officers stated there should’ve been no way they could have survived. But God had other plans. After a long recovery, they continued to date, fell in love, and got married in December of 1961. They recently celebrated their 62nd anniversary.
Windell took on a few random jobs working for the City of Pampa until one day, he and his buddy visited another friend who was in barber school. They both noticed it was warm inside, it smelled good, so they both signed up and the rest was history. Windell barbered for the next 62 years. Beginning his career at the Air Force Base in Amarillo, Gods plan eventually placed him in the Amarillo National Bank Plaza II where the Ware family had built a barber shop. So, from 1983 to 2023, Windell built an incredible clientele of wonderfully faithful men from all professions.
Windell’s relationship with the Lord came about as a result of a sick child. Church was never a part of his life but though the trials of the sickness and no real way to turn, Eydie introduced him to Paster Alvin Taylor of Faith Baptist Church. Eydie had already started attending but Windell was hardheaded and told Bro. Tayler if he needed religion, he’d give him a call. Well, the Lord worked on him for a while and on Feb 11, 1965, Windell asked the Lord to be his Savior. He did say he felt a massive weight lift off his shoulders. Bro. Tayler pressed Windell to get into the scriptures and in no time at all, made him a teacher of young adults. This was a huge turning point in his and Eydie’s life. Windell taught this class for over 30 years and grew the numbers as high as 40 married couples. Together with Eydie, they had three children, Nick, Vickie, and Scotty. Each is here today with their families. Overall, Windell and Eydie have 10 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and two great grandchildren on the way!
During his time as leader of this group, Windell kept many involved through arranging volleyball and softball leagues. Along with raising three kids, he was always finding ways to make sure the group stayed close with after church socials to church camp retreats. He had a real knack for leadership.
Windell’s accomplishments were also noted outside the church. In 1976, he started coaching his youngest son in summer baseball. Over the next 10 years, his team won 5 city championships. He loved coaching and was revered as one of the most strategic coaches around. In 1983, Windell was inducted into the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame. He is the only summer league coach to have ever received this award.
Along with baseball, Windell enjoyed hunting and playing golf. As a kid, hunting was a normal part of life. He was an incredible shot. Only Swanson Hagerman could give him a run for his money. On the golf course, his competitiveness was never in doubt. He wasn’t a great golfer but was an excellent antagonist. His rhetoric caused many opponents to stumble, keeping him in the game. He was a trash talker for sure.
In 2001, Windell partnered with his brother Don to run cattle in McLean and continue to barber full time. Five years later, he stepped away from barbering but only for a couple of years. By 2009, he went back to barbering two days a week and continued managing his cattle living in both Amarillo and McLean. After selling his cattle in 2018, his family noticed he was going through some changes, notably with his thinking and short-term memory. Now fully retired, working around the house and still driving to the lake every weekend, he enjoyed the easiness of living. In 2021, life slowed down and the disease of dementia took over. He was a great man and will be missed by many.
Windell was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Eva (Jones) Knutson, and two brothers, Donald and Harley Knutson.
Survivors include his wife, Eydie Knutson; three children, Nick Knutson and wife, Shanon, Vickie Thiele and husband, Rob, and Scotty Knutson and wife, Lisa; ten grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren with one due in July and another in September.
The family suggests memorials be to Amarillo SPCA, 11901 S. Coulter Dr. Amarillo, TX 79119.
He was born August 11, 1941 in Wheeler County, four miles east of McLean, Texas in a remote farmhouse with little to no amenities. The floors were dirt and there was no insulation in the walls or roof. The only running water came from whoever went outside and brought it in the fastest. Heat was provided by a wood burning stove and if snow fell during the night, they would often wake up under a dusting of snow on their blanket that blew in through the cracks in the wooden structure. Needless to say, times were challenging.
Windell attended school in McLean and graduated in 1959. Involved mostly in small-time mischief, he and his friends found ways to impress the girls at the drive-in over in Shamrock. Later that same year on a double-blind date with his best friend, Windell met Eydie Vick, a beautiful young lady who worked at the drive-in. While on a drive one night, they were victims of a severe accident caused by a drunk driver that nearly took both their lives. Officers stated there should’ve been no way they could have survived. But God had other plans. After a long recovery, they continued to date, fell in love, and got married in December of 1961. They recently celebrated their 62nd anniversary.
Windell took on a few random jobs working for the City of Pampa until one day, he and his buddy visited another friend who was in barber school. They both noticed it was warm inside, it smelled good, so they both signed up and the rest was history. Windell barbered for the next 62 years. Beginning his career at the Air Force Base in Amarillo, Gods plan eventually placed him in the Amarillo National Bank Plaza II where the Ware family had built a barber shop. So, from 1983 to 2023, Windell built an incredible clientele of wonderfully faithful men from all professions.
Windell’s relationship with the Lord came about as a result of a sick child. Church was never a part of his life but though the trials of the sickness and no real way to turn, Eydie introduced him to Paster Alvin Taylor of Faith Baptist Church. Eydie had already started attending but Windell was hardheaded and told Bro. Tayler if he needed religion, he’d give him a call. Well, the Lord worked on him for a while and on Feb 11, 1965, Windell asked the Lord to be his Savior. He did say he felt a massive weight lift off his shoulders. Bro. Tayler pressed Windell to get into the scriptures and in no time at all, made him a teacher of young adults. This was a huge turning point in his and Eydie’s life. Windell taught this class for over 30 years and grew the numbers as high as 40 married couples. Together with Eydie, they had three children, Nick, Vickie, and Scotty. Each is here today with their families. Overall, Windell and Eydie have 10 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and two great grandchildren on the way!
During his time as leader of this group, Windell kept many involved through arranging volleyball and softball leagues. Along with raising three kids, he was always finding ways to make sure the group stayed close with after church socials to church camp retreats. He had a real knack for leadership.
Windell’s accomplishments were also noted outside the church. In 1976, he started coaching his youngest son in summer baseball. Over the next 10 years, his team won 5 city championships. He loved coaching and was revered as one of the most strategic coaches around. In 1983, Windell was inducted into the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame. He is the only summer league coach to have ever received this award.
Along with baseball, Windell enjoyed hunting and playing golf. As a kid, hunting was a normal part of life. He was an incredible shot. Only Swanson Hagerman could give him a run for his money. On the golf course, his competitiveness was never in doubt. He wasn’t a great golfer but was an excellent antagonist. His rhetoric caused many opponents to stumble, keeping him in the game. He was a trash talker for sure.
In 2001, Windell partnered with his brother Don to run cattle in McLean and continue to barber full time. Five years later, he stepped away from barbering but only for a couple of years. By 2009, he went back to barbering two days a week and continued managing his cattle living in both Amarillo and McLean. After selling his cattle in 2018, his family noticed he was going through some changes, notably with his thinking and short-term memory. Now fully retired, working around the house and still driving to the lake every weekend, he enjoyed the easiness of living. In 2021, life slowed down and the disease of dementia took over. He was a great man and will be missed by many.
Windell was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Eva (Jones) Knutson, and two brothers, Donald and Harley Knutson.
Survivors include his wife, Eydie Knutson; three children, Nick Knutson and wife, Shanon, Vickie Thiele and husband, Rob, and Scotty Knutson and wife, Lisa; ten grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren with one due in July and another in September.
The family suggests memorials be to Amarillo SPCA, 11901 S. Coulter Dr. Amarillo, TX 79119.