Theodore (Ted) Craig Knowles

Theodore (Ted) Craig Knowles of Fountain, Colorado, passed away unexpectedly on Feb 19, 2025, at the age of 66 years.

Ted was born July 26th, 1958, to Arlo and Dorene Knowles in Des Moines, Iowa. He was one of five children and lived with his family in Iowa (Des Moines, Pella, Boone) and Minnesota (Northfield). Ted had an identical twin brother, Jim. Fun fact: in elementary school he and his twin brother had to dress up in Dutch costumes and march in the “Tulip Time” parade each May in Pella, Iowa.

Ted excelled in academics and sports (swimming and track) in junior and senior HS in Northfield, MN. Fun facts: Ted was a member of the homecoming court in HS and had long hair which made him look like rock star Peter Frampton.

He attended one year at Carleton College in Northfield, MN, and then was nominated to the USAF Academy by Sen Hubert H. Humphrey, US Senator from MN.

At the USAF Academy Ted excelled in all areas, majored in physics, and was the highest-ranking cadet his senior year (Cadet Wing Commander, fall semester) and graduated with honors in 1981. He went on to Reese AFB (Lubbock, TX) for undergraduate pilot training. He graduated at the top of his class and was assigned as an instructor pilot at Reese and went on to be awarded “Instructor Pilot of the Year” for all of the USAF. He also earned the “Outstanding Squadron Officer School Graduate” award for being the top graduate of that program for the entire USAF.

After instructor pilot duties, Ted was assigned to the Pentagon as part of the “ASTRA” (Air Staff Training) program which identified fast tracking young officers to help groom them for eventual general officer and command positions. After this assignment, Ted was trained as a C-5 Galaxy pilot (the largest aircraft in the world at that time). In this capacity he participated directly in “Operation Desert Storm”, flying key personnel and supplies into and out of combat zones in support of that critical operation, also known as “Gulf War One”.

After Operation Desert Storm, Ted was promoted 2 years “below the zone” (2 years earlier than his peer group) to Major, but he declined that valuable promotion and separated from the USAF. He founded a real estate company in California and operated it in the Sacramento area for several years, then relocated the company to Denver. In Denver, he continued to primarily pursue commercial real estate for many years. Later, he began to focus more attention on residential real estate, mainly in the Pueblo, CO area. He resided in rural Fountain, CO for the many years. Fun fact: Ted at one time owned and lived in the former French Consulate mansion in downtown Denver.

Ted is survived by his very loving daughter, Sydney Applegate, his grandson, Jackson, and son-in-law Ryan Applegate (Thornton, CO) and by his close friend and Sydney’s mom, Jeana Albright (Denver, CO). He is also survived by his sister, Wendy Knowles, of Des Moines, IA, his twin brother Jim and sister-in-law Martina Knowles of Spring Valley, OH, his brother-in-law Herb Roorda of New Prague, MN, and many nephews and nieces who greatly loved their uncle Ted. Ted is predeceased by his parents, Arlo and Dorene Knowles (Northfield, MN), his sister Karen Roorda (New Prague, MN), and his brother Arthur Knowles (Minneapolis, MN).

Ted was a very loving and supportive dad to his daughter, Sydney, and very loving grandpa to his grandson, Jackson. He would rather be known as “dad” and “Tedpa” than anything else. Ted was known for his boundless energy and enthusiasm for life. He was bright and had a quick wit and great sense of humor. He was gregarious and was able to get along well with everyone. He treated his family, friends, and colleagues with integrity and respect. He was always true to his word. Ted was always optimistic and positive, even in the face of various adversities – which inevitably are a part of life.

Ted had placed his trust in Jesus Christ for salvation and tried to learn as much as he could from the Bible and to live by Biblical principles in all his dealings with others. Ted would be the first to say he was not perfect, but then again no one is, and that is why Jesus came to earth – to save us from our sins.

As Jesus said (English Standard Version, ESV): John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” 

John 4:24 “God is spirit and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and truth.”

John 11:25-26 “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Ted was greatly loved and will be greatly missed by his family, his friends, and his colleagues.

WE ALL LOVE AND MISS YOU TED!