Jack R Knetzger

John (Jack) Richard Knetzger was born May 9, 1958 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to parents Robert L and Evelyn (Sis) (Austin) Knetzger.

Jack’s formative years were spent in Shorewood, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee. His family moved to Scottsdale, AZ in 1974, where he graduated from Chaparral High School in 1976. He earned a Journalism degree from the University of Arizona in 1980 and at the same time was actively involved with the university newspaper covering both medical and science areas. Through his contributions to the newspaper he earned two grants, one of which was from Argonne National Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy multidisciplinary science and engineering research center. Post college, Jack attended Arizona Tech Institute and earned a certificate in Computer Programming in 1982, which led him into the field of Information Technology.

Jack began his professional career as a technical writer in Dallas in 1983 working first for NADACOM before moving onto Texas Instruments, where he met his wife, Marilyn, in 1984. He also worked for Mobil Oil, JC Penney, several large telecom companies and several consulting firms before joining the Yum! family as Web Media Designer in 2006. At Yum!, Jack expanded his skill set from print and screen documentation to videography and newer methods of communications, which earned him the apt title of Multimedia Specialist. His love of electronics, his ability to quickly adapt to new technology and master all subject areas, his sense of humor, and his innate creativity were well suited to global corporate training and communications using the newest technology. Readily apparent to all was his quick wit, his intelligence and expansive knowledge, his playfulness, and his generous spirit, which enabled him to work with many people and all levels of a corporate structure.

Jack was a gifted singer/songwriter, a comic writer/graphic artist, an avid astronomer, a natural born comedian, and a prolific creative spirit whose ideas and talents knew no bounds. His ability to bring humor into every situation along with his gentle, kind, and sensitive generous spirit made it easy for Jack to connect and bring joy and laughter to those whose lives he touched. He will be dearly missed by his family, his friends and all who knew and loved him.

Jack is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn Knetzger; mother Evelyn (Sis) Knetzger; brother Bob Knetzger and his wife Deborah; sister Pat Fullam and her husband Francis; nieces and nephews, Reed and Laura Knetzger, Alex Fullam and his wife Haley, Spencer Fullam and his wife Chelsea; great niece and nephew Clarissa and Isaac Fullam.  He was preceded in death by his father Robert L Knetzger.

The family will receive friends for a visitation Friday, January 17, 2020 from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Allen Family Funeral Options. A funeral will be held to celebrate Jack’s life Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 4:00 P.M. at Christ United Methodist Church, 3101 Coit Road, Plano, Texas, 75075.

If desired contributions may be made in Jack’s name to North Texas Food Bank, 3677 Mapleshade Ln, Plano, Texas 75075, or to the Support For People With Oral and Head and Neck Cancer, PO Box 53 Locust Valley, New York 11560-0053, https://www.spohnc.org/ 1-800-377-0928, or to the charity of your choice.