George Wilson Knapp

Wilson, as he was known to all of his family and friends, was born August 12, 1928 in Toyah, Texas to Bleeker and Willa Dean Knapp. They would later move to Carlsbad, New Mexico where Wilson met the love of his life, Jean Walton.  They were married December 11, 1948 in Carlsbad.  This coming December Wilson and Jean would have celebrated 69 years together. While in high school, Wilson discovered the second love of his life: football.  He was named to the all-state team twice before graduating from Carlsbad High School.  He then attended the University of New Mexico on a football scholarship where he made the all-conference team two years.  Wilson went on to coach high school football at Belen, Carlsbad, Lovington, and the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell.  After leading teams to multiple state championships, he joined the coaching staff at the University of Texas at El Paso where he served as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator.  In 20 years of coaching, Wilson had 5 first-team All-Americans and 39 who were drafted into pro football. Wilson left coaching in 1971 and spent the rest of his career in education. He served at the Region XIX Service Center for 13 years before moving into administration with the Canutillo Independent School District.  He retired in 1993 after serving 6 years as the superintendent of the Canutillo school system.  The lives of many young people were dramatically impacted by Wilson’s 4 decades of service in education. Wilson was a man of incredible strength, character, and integrity. He loved the Lord and faithfully served in many capacities at Trinity-First United Methodist Church in El Paso.  He is survived by his wife Jean of Lubbock, Texas; daughter Sherry Thom and husband Brian of Harker Heights, Texas; son Dennis Knapp of Harker Heights, Texas; daughter Susie Driscoll and husband Rick of Ransom Canyon, Texas; and daughter Sandy Schafer and husband Mike of Plainview, Texas.  Wilson also left a powerful legacy through his 8 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.  He will be greatly missed!