Lee Roy Knauth, age 96, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2023, in Georgetown, Texas. He was born September 2, 1926, in Jarrell, Texas to Oscar Fritz Knauth and Nora Mae Glass Knauth. Lee Roy was the fourth of ten children. He graduated from Florence High School in 1944. He enjoyed playing football and baseball. After graduation, at the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the navy and served his country during World War II in the Pacific on the U.S.S. McClelland as a Navy Radar Operations 2 nd Class from 1944 until 1946.

After returning from the Navy, Lee Roy attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas where he received his bachelor's degree in May 1950. He later earned a master's degree from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos,Texas. He began his career with Florence ISD in September 1950 as a mathematics teacher. After his first year of teaching,he married Marie Butler on December 7, 1951, at Florence United Methodist Church. He was a devoted and loving husband. Lee Roy and Marie were happily married for 70 years.They had two daughters, Susan, and Jeanne.

In Florence ISD, Lee Roy taught mathematics, served as theelementary principal and then the high school principal. He also coached high school girls' basketball. In 1966, he became the superintendent of Florence ISD and served for twenty years in that capacity until his retirement in 1986, after thirty-six years of service to Florence ISD. After his retirement, the National Honor Society Chapter of Florence High School was named in honor of Lee Roy Knauth.

Since 1950, Lee Roy was a member of the Florence United Methodist Church. He served as Treasurer for over forty years, served on the Administrative Board, served on the Paster-Parish Relations committee, taught adult Sunday school classes, helped build the sanctuary, and helped build onto the parsonage including a new garage. For many years he also cooked brisket and beans for the Fall Festival each year.  He crafted wooden benches and other wooden items for the church auction. He was a delegate to the Central Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and served on conference level boards for a total of sixteen years including four years as President of the Clergy Benefit committee.

Lee Roy was mayor of Florence from 1981 until 2000.  He served on the committee to plan and construct the Florence Veteran's Memorial and was the chairman of the dedication committee for the memorial. He was chairman of the Florence Clinic Board and instrumental in the renovation of the old medical clinic building and the acquisition of a new health care facility. Lee Roy was a commissioner on the Williamson County Emergency Service District #7, served on the Florence Planning and Zoning committee, president of the Florence CemeteryAssociation, and on the Board of Directors for the Florence ISD Education Foundation. For many years, he helped with the Florence Friendship Days. He was a local Farm Bureau president, member and past president of the Chamber of Commerce, and a past commander of the local American Legion Post. He served as a member of the committee appointed by the county commissioners to make recommendations for the new county jail and court building. He was also on a committee appointed by the county commissioners to study and make recommendations related to the county employees and elected official's salary and benefits. In 1979 and 1995 Lee Roy was selected by the Florence Chamber of Commerce as Citizen of the Year.

Lee Roy enjoyed ranching, fishing, hunting, woodworking, and traveling.  After retirement, Lee Roy and Marie traveled the continental United States visiting most of the Presidential libraries, state capitols, the WWII Memorial in Washington D.C., Mount Rushmore, other historic sites, and many covered bridges.  Many of their trips were in the fall so they could enjoy the fall colors.

Lee Roy, Daddy to Susan and Jeanne, was a patient, loving,understanding, Christian father. We always enjoyed the time wespent with him. He was always there to listen, help, and provide advice. Growing up we realized how special our father was and how important his family, church and community were to him.

Lee Roy is survived by daughter Susan Knauth Douglas and her husband Craig Douglas of Round Rock Texas, and daughter Jeanne Knauth of Florence, Texas.  He is survived by sister Ida Merideth and brothers Bob and wife Gwin, Ken and wife Deanie, and sister-in-law Patty Knauth.  He is survived by many nieces and nephews and other family members.

Lee Roy was preceded in death by his wife Marie Butler Knauth, his parents Oscar and Nora Knauth; brothers: Winifredand wife Lula and second wife Jennie, Edmund and wife Maxine, Calvin, Fred and wife Betty, and sisters: Ruth Montgomery and husband EE Montgomery Jr., Hazel Brookingand husband James, and brother-in-law James Merideth.

His daughters wish to extend their appreciation for the care that Lee Roy received from the staff of the Wesleyan Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation for the past four years.

Memorial donations can be made in Lee Roy's name to Florence United Methodist Church (PO Box 39, Florence Texas 76527) or the Florence ISD Education Foundation (PO Box 713, Florence Texas 76527).

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 27th, 2023 at Ramsey Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 28th, 2023 at Florence United Methodist Church.

Burial will follow at Florence City Cemetery, in Florence, TX with Military Honors rendered by the United States Navy.