DURHAM- David Wayne Knowles, 57, of Durham passed away February 2, 2016 unexpectedly. He was born in Belfast, Maine on April 20, 1958 to James Knowles and Jacqueline (Hamilton) Knowles, of Dexter. He graduated from Dexter Regional High School in 1976. He received his degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautics University in 1980. He worked as a pilot in the Spruce Bud Worm Program. He continued on to Telford Aviation from 1980 – 1992 where he started as a flight instructor and then worked his way up to Chief Pilot. He then worked for Downeast Flying Service as a chief pilot, and was the personal pilot for many governors and senators. In 1996, David began working for the US Government in the FAA as an Aviation Safety Inspector.
He was married to his wife Roxanne Weeman on May 30, 1992 in Buxton, Maine.
David enjoyed camping, trips to the coast and Pennsylvania, being with his family and taking every opportunity he could get to fly.
He was survived by his wife of 24 years, Roxanne (Weeman) Knowles, his children Kira Knowles of Buxton and Kevin Knowles of Durham, his mother Jacqueline (Hamilton) Knowles of Dexter, his brother Richard Knowles, his brother-in-laws, Bud Weeman and Ryan Weeman and his wife Zip, his sister-in-law Rebecca Meader, his father-in-law Robert Weeman of Buxton, his uncle Wayne Hamilton of Searsport, and his many nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his father James Knowles, mother-in-law Joan Weeman, his aunt Loraine Hamilton, his paternal grandparents John and Myrtle Knowles, his maternal grandparents Warner and Ethlyn Hamilton.
Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, Feb. 7, from 1 – 4 PM at the Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service Chapel, 498 Long Plains Road (Rt. 22) in Buxton. A funeral service will be held on Monday Feb. 8 at 2 PM at the Buxton Center Baptist Church, 938 Long Plains Rd. Pastor Laura Holt Haslam will officiate. Burial will be private at a later date. Online condolence messages can be submitted at the funeral home’s website, www.mainefuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can made to Sarah’s House of Maine, 346 Main Road, Holden, Maine 04429 or the Buxton Center Baptist Church, 938 Long Plains Road, Buxton, Maine 04093.