BURTON RAY KNOTTS, 94, of Little Rock, passed away Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at his home. He was born, October 24, 1930, in the outskirts of Pocahontas to the late Burton Dee Knotts and Lily May Sago Knotts. "Burton Ray" was raised on a farm in Randolph County. He was the valedictorian of his graduating high school class. He joined the United States Air Force in June 1949 and served in the Korean War honorably. After his service concluded, he began his studies of electrical engineering at the University of Arkansas. He met the love of his life, Mary Catherine DeClerk of Pocahontas walking down the street in front of the Rendezvous Café. They married June 9, 1955. Three children followed: David, Anna, and Joan.

They bought a house in Little Rock and were some of the earliest members of St. Theresa Catholic Church. He was active in the Knights of Columbus for over 50 years. Burton Ray worked for the Army Corp of Engineers until his retirement and then later served as an electrical engineering consultant with Charlie Deitz.

Burton Ray had a great sense of humor and could tell some of the best stories. He was fluent in Morse Code and spoke often of trying to decode crickets chirping. In case you are wondering, crickets do not chirp anything that can be interpreted through Morse Code. He only recently divulged that "Grandma Cookies" were not his mother's recipe, but one she copied out of a magazine.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Catherine DeClerk Knotts; and his siblings.

He is survived by his son, David Ray Knotts of Benton; daughters, Anna Catherine Sandstrom of Tulsa, Okla., and Joan Marie Traywick of Little Rock; grandchildren, Sarah D. Jameson of Coweta, Okla., John D. Knotts of Conway, Keith A. Knotts of Benton, Rachel E. Koehler of Tulsa, Okla., Jason A. Traywick of Little Rock, and Christina Sandstrom of Tulsa, Okla.; greatgrandchildren, Leah N. Jameson and Blake A. Jameson of Coweta, Okla. and Michael and Jacob Barry of Tulsa, Okla.

Visitation will be on Sunday, January 5, 2025, from 5-7 pm at McNabb Funeral Home Chapel with a Rosary service immediately following at 7 pm. The funeral Mass will be on Monday, January 6, 2025, at 4 pm with Rev. Gary Kastl officiating. Burial will follow in St. Paul Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be made to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) or your local VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars).