with mug

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Staff report
MOORESVILLE ó Joe V. Knox, 83, who served as mayor of Mooresville for 30 years, died Wednesday at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center.
Knox, who grew up in Davidson, made the move to Mooresville in 1942, where he would spend 26 years with Burlington Industries, Cascade Plant.
But Knox left his mark on the town and surrounding area, helping to transform Mooresville from a dying textile town to a vibrant center of business and an important part of the NASCAR racing world.
In 1959, he was elected to the Mooresville Town Board of Commissioners. He served 10 years before running for mayor and winning in 1969.
He was given the honorary title of Mayor Emeritus when he retired in 1999.
He also served as executive vice president of the Moorsville Chamber of Commerce.
His civic duties included past president and life member of the Mooresville Jaycees and past president and member of the Mooresville Rotary Club, where he became a “Paul Harris Fellow” in 1999.
Knox served as a director on a number of boards, including the Mooresville Public Library, Lowrance Hospital, South Iredell Industrial Development, the Mooresville ABC Board, Wachovia Bank, Lake Norman Regional Medical Center and the North Carolina League of Municipalities, where he served a term as president.
He also served on several State committees, including Gov. Jim Hunt’s committee to study the N.C. Highway Patrol, and was appointed for a three-year term to the Governor’s Crime Commission.
Among his many awards is the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest award given by the state of North Carolina.
A business man, Knox was a partner in Knox Realty from 1984 until he formed Joe Knox Properties, LLC in 2001.
Joe Knox Properties on Main Street is involved in real projects throughout the area, including China Grove and Kannapolis. The company is currently owned and managed by Gary T. Knox, mayor of Cornelius and Joe Knox’s brother, Charlie Knox.
Joe Knox retired from real estate in 2005.
Among his survivors is his wife of 66 years, Mary Elizabeth “Lip” Gudger Knox.
The family will receive friends at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home from 2 until 4 p.m. and 6 until 8 p.m. on Friday.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Mooresville A R P Church. Burial will follow at Glenwood Memorial Cemetery.