Edmund Knetig Jr.
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Edmund H. Knetig, Jr., 77, of Palm Valley, passed away on Wednesday, January 27, 2021. He was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on November 20, 1943. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edmund H. Knetig, Sr. and Fridel Knetig. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sue Knetig, his son, Edmund W., his daughter Elizabeth, two granddaughters, Madeline and Abigail, one great-grandson, Rowan, two sisters, Dolores Cox and Beverly (Ben) Dunnahoo, and 10 nieces and nephews.
Ed was a beloved and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother. He grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas and graduated from W.B. Ray High School and Texas A&I University. He and the family moved to the Rio Grande Valley in 1975 where he was employed by Garratt Callahan Company for 30 years.
Ed was a proud veteran with a distinguished record of service. He joined the Army in 1964 as a private and retired after 39 years in 2003 as a colonel in the Army Reserve. He commanded the 812th S&S Company in Harlingen, the 365th REPL Battalion in McAllen, and was the Deputy Commander of the 90th Regional Support Group in Camp Robinson, AR. He earned 58 service medals and badges, culminating in the award of the Legion of Merit.
In the Valley, Ed became heavily involved in football officiating. He officiated at every local level from Pee-Wee to the state high school playoffs. He was proud to be accepted into the Southwest Conference and serve at the college football level for over 20 years in five Division I football conferences. He had the honor of officiating 11 bowl games. He was inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.
Ed and Sue joined the Harlingen Country Club in 1977 and became active, avid golfers and club members. Ed held several leadership roles in the HCC, and held Renaissance member status.
Ed was a reliable, eager friend to many. He loved to tell stories, to fish, to travel, to meet for coffee, and always liked to be around people. His absence will be felt by family and friends around the Valley and the nation.
A private family service will be held on February 12th at Rio Grande Valley Veterans Memorial Cemetery with full military honors. A celebration of life will follow at 2 p.m. at Harlingen Country Club.