Obituary of Eliot Stetson Knowles

Dr. Eliot Stetson Knowles, Jr., 71 of Bossier City, LA died unexpectedly on June 29, 2013. He served as the Director of Rutherford House for the past 38 years. He will also be remembered as the "Voice of Airline", He has announced almost every AHS home football game for the past 40+ years. Dr. Knowles taught at Airline High School, Bossier Parish Community College, and at LSU-S. He was described as "one of those teachers you'll never forget". He earned his Masters and Doctorate from NSU in Natchitoches, LA and was a diehard Demon fan! Dr. Knowles had a passion for Rutherford House and for people. He devoted the past 38 years to helping troubled teens across the state make a new start for themselves. He truly believed in second chances. He never met a stranger and he always looked for the good in people. He possessed the art of conversation and one always felt welcome in his company. Eliot was a gentle compassionate and loving husband, father, and son. He took excellent care of his first wife Joan, as she struggled with Alzheimer's for over 10 years. He also cared for his elderly mother in his home for the last few years of her life. Eliot just celebrated his second wedding anniversary with his current wife, Susan U. Knowles. They were able to travel extensively for pleasure and enjoyed competing in obedience dog shows across the country. Eliot had just started competing with their OTCH dog, Caesar. He was excited about learning something new and enjoyed the competitive nature of the sport. He was instrumental in creating a new club, The Golden Retriever club of North Louisiana of which he was president. He is preceded in death by his first wife of 44 years Joan C. Knowles, his father, Eliot Stetson Knowles, Sr., and his mother, Betty K. Knowles. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Susan, son, Eliot Lee Knowles III, his wife Trisha and their 2 sons, Hunter Stetson and Zachary Allen Knowles of Haughton, LA, his daughter Tyrrell "Terry" Flaherty, her husband Jeff and their children Tiffany Ann and Andrew Jeffrey Flaherty of LA Junta, CO., two sisters, Peggy Rodgers of S. Dartmouth, MA and Val Deane, and husband Bobby of Bernardston, MA, stepdaughter Jamie and husband Llanden Morgan, and their son Llandry of Haughton, LA, stepson Lt. Commander Jody and wife Erin Mandeville and son Gabriel of Lakeville, MA, several nephews, nieces, cousins, and very dear friends. The family will hold visitation at Boone Funeral Home, Bossier City, LA on Sunday, July 7 from 2 to 6 PM. A private family memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Dr. Knowles would be honored if you helped keep his dream and legacy alive by donating to his favorite charity: Rutherford House, 1707 Line Ave. Shreveport, LA 71101 "Nothing made by man is more beautiful than a sailboat underway in good weather. To be on that boat is as close to Heaven as I ever expect to be."