Drew Thomas Knowles Obituary (1982 - 2019)

Drew Thomas Knowles was born on September 28, 1982, in Portland, Oregon to Sally Gregory Knowles and Jeffrey Blakeston Knowles. He died on July 26, 2019. From the beginning, Drew was a ray of sunshine in the lives of all who knew him. He lived life to the fullest, with passion and exuberance. Drew attended Grant Union High School in John Day, Oregon; graduating in 2001. Drew was an athlete, playing football, basketball, and baseball, and participating in wrestling and rodeo during high school. He was a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, participating in steer wrestling, calf roping, team roping, and steer roping. But the roping he loved most was branding calves with his family and friends. A farrier by trade, Drew shod horses from Fossil to Winnemucca. He truly loved his job. He loved the work and he loved the people. He developed many lifelong friendships on his shoeing route. Drew loved the outdoors, cutting firewood, hunting, fishing and running his hound dogs. He was not afraid to go after a cougar or a bear in a hole or grab a rattlesnake by the tail. The ranch at Drewsey was his very favorite place to be. Drew was the epitome of an ardently involved father, not just playing with his boys, but taking them with him everywhere. But he was active in coaching, not only his kids but all of them with the Grant County Wrestling Club and little league baseball. He had a particular talent as an artist and craftsman, working in leather, wood, and metal. He could hone knives out of rasps, make a purse, a piece of furniture, or a one of a kind branding iron. He would give his pieces of art to those dear to him and where he saw the need. Drew shared his passion for life with everyone with the biggest smile, a twinkle in his eye and a bear hug whether you wanted one or not. A genuine friend, Drew would give you the shirt off his back. He made everything fun. But there was nothing he loved more than being with Jessie and the boys. Drew is survived by his wife of ten years, Jessica, and his three sons, Charley, Jack and Cody; his mother, Sally; his brother, Trevor, and sister-in-law, Jena; as well as numerous other relatives and an abundance of friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Jeffrey Knowles. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sons of Drew Knowles Memorial Fund through Driskill Memorial Chapel at 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.