Long-time West Covina, Calif., resident Arthur Raymond Knowles passed away peacefully around 6:30 p.m. on the evening of Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012 in his bed at the Bridgecreek Retirement Community on Holt Avenue in West Covina, California at the age of 88. He was born in Steubenville, Ohio on October 23rd, 1923 to Arthur R. Knowles, Sr. and Alice Addison Knowles. After graduating from High School, he attended college at the Citadel with the understanding that he could be drafted into the United States Army and sent off to fight in World War II at any time. His Junior year he was officially enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves and spent that year waiting for his call-up. Knowles gained the rank of Lieutenant, assigned to the 84th Infantry Division in training at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and a plaque distinguishing this service was displayed proudly in his home. Knowles was shot 3 times in total during the war and would earn purple hearts and a silver star. He met Stasia Fortuna, a native of Poland, at the end of the war. They were married and had four children: Peter, Margaret, Teresa and James. He spent his career working on engineering projects, most notably on flood control projects. Knowles was preceded in death by his first wife Stasia Fortuna Knowles and his son Peter Knowles. He is survived by his second wife, Virginia Fernandez Knowles; his daughters Margaret (Knowles) Poer and Teresa (Knowles) Becker; his surviving son James Arthur Knowles; his grandsons Tony Poer, Eric Becker, Peter Poer, Jorgan Knowles, Jerick Janssen, Carlos and Christopher Knowles; his granddaughters Amanda Becker and Lauren Becker; and his great-grandchildren Conrad Poer, Ava Becker Rogers, Jude Becker Rogers, and Chloe Poer. Memorial services are being held privately. A military ceremony and tribute will be held Tuesday, July 10th, 2012 at 1:45 p.m. at the National Cemetary in Riverside, California In lieu of flowers or donations, please thank the soldiers in your life for their service to their country. Tags: 1944
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