Harold Knowles

Harold Charles Knowles, 82, of Ellerslie, Georgia, passed away on August 19, 2025, at his home on Bracketts Lake surrounded by loved ones.

A Celebration of Life will be held 3:00PM, Saturday September 13, 2025 in the Chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory ,3874 Gentian Blvd Columbus GA 31907. A public visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the funeral home.

He was born on May 28, 1943 in Muskegon, Michigan to Harold and Christina Knowles. From an early age, Harold’s love of cars shaped the course of his life. Harold proudly served in the U.S. Army from January 1961 to January 1963 as a Light Vehicle Driver in Fort Lewis, Washington. Following his service, Harold built a long and successful career with Ford Motor Company, serving as a manager at several plant locations, including Detroit, Michigan, and Cleveland, Ohio, where he eventually retired. In addition to his leadership at Ford, he was also a proud Michigan Certified Master Mechanic, a reflection of his lifelong passion for automobiles and mechanical craftsmanship. In 1997, Harold and his wife Heide Knowles made their home in Ellerslie, GA where they shared a loving life together. Harold was known as a skilled woodworker and a generous handyman who could fix anything and delighted in making thoughtful creations for family and friends. He also enjoyed estate sales, fishing, and spending summers with his grandchildren during “Nana Camp.” He was the heart of the household, always up first to make coffee, set out breakfast, and warmly care for those around him.

Harold is survived by his wife, Heide Erika Lahr; Sister: Sandra Lewis Children: Mark Corbett Knowles, Brent Charles Knowles, Eric Knowles and Jason Knowles; Stepchildren: Steven (Debra) Lahr of Port Charlotte, FL, Angela (Paul) Flynn of Dubuque, IA, and Gregory (Sherry) Lahr of Fayetteville, NC; Grandchildren: Sasha Lahr, Tessa (Brandon) Cawley, Wyatt (Carmen) Lahr, Weston (Yvonne) Lahr, Travis Lahr, Maxwell Flynn, Chandler (Mark) Schemmel, Mason (Kimberly) Flynn, Charlotte (Ethan) Miebach, Josephine Lahr, Sophia Lahr, and Jackson Lahr; Great Grandchildren: Kennedy Cawley, Owen Cawley, Brooks Cawley, Wayne Lahr; Tatum Schemmel, Bennett Flynn, Emerson Flynn, and Kris Suarez.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Christina Knowles, Brother Clayton Knowles and Brother-in-Law DeVere Lewis.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a veteran’s charity of yourchoice. Suggested organizations include the Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and the Fisher House Foundation.