Edgar Clay Knotts, 89, passed away Thursday, July 20. He was born September 18, 1927 in Minnora, West Virginia but lived most of his life in Akron. Edgar came to Akron at the age of 15 to continue his education. After graduation from East High School, he entered the Air Force for 3 years in Roswell, New Mexico. Following that, he enrolled at the University of Eastern New Mexico where he earned a Bachelor of Arts. During his college years, he married and had 5 children. He taught history for 35 years in the Akron Public School system, where he also taught carpentry classes in the evening. He was the proud owner of Knotts Remodeling.

Edgar was an all-American football half-back at the University of Eastern New Mexico. He continued his love of football as an avid Cleveland Browns and The Ohio State Buckeyes fan. His hobbies were hunting, fishing, camping, boating, and golfing, especially with his brother and brother-in-law. Edgar also enjoyed doing daily word searches.

He is preceded in death by his father Harley M. Knotts; mother, Thelma Westfall; wife, Nancy J. Knotts; son, Mark Knotts; brother, Marshall Knotts. He was survived by his children: Lynda (Michael) Antal, LouAnne Swingle, Craig (Jimi Lin Tabor), and Lori (Charlie) Wilson; siblings, Matthew (Vera) Knotts, Garnette (James) Dorsey, Mary Gunderson, Phyllis Hale, Dorothy Toth, and Judy (Robert) Dillon; grandchildren; Michael (Elizabeth), Brian, Sarah (Dale) James, Meredith Antal, Aaron, Adam, and Alec Swingle, Eli Knotts, Corrie and Leslie Johnson, Lindsay Kirkman; great-grandchildren, Brandon Antal, Abigail, Lance and Gunnar James, Eliana Frausto, Coleman and Carter Pridemore, and Jacy Pol-Johnson; and his chocolate Labrador, Lucy.

The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital visiting nurse service and hospice visiting nurse service, especially Suzanne Hamrick.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Edgar's nephew, Scott Dillon www.gofundme.com/Scott-Dillon.

Visitation will be Tuesday, July 25, 2017 from 5-7, followed by a 7:00 p.m. memorial service at Newcomer Funeral Home 131 N. Canton Rd., Akron.