Walter Knox

October 18, 1946 - September 7, 2020
Walter Knox

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HENRY WALTER KNOX, age 73, died Monday evening September 7, 2020, at the Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Wilmington, North Carolina from congestive heart failure.

Walter was born on 18 October 1946 in Tarboro, NC, the son of late John Arthur Knox and Edna Geneva Walls. He is also preceded in death by sisters Mary Elizabeth Knox Denton, Ellen Knox Tew, Linda Knox Tufts, and stepfather George Allen Anderson.

He leaves behind his wife of over 30 years Constance Henley Knox and daughter Katherine Elizabeth Knox. He is survived by his younger sister Sara Knox Unrein and husband Steve, nephews Patrick Knox Unrein and Michael Allen Tew, nieces Sara Elizabeth Burner and Ann Lawrence Jones, several grand nieces, and nephews.

Walter began his radio career on-air as a DJ at WCPS in Tarboro at the age of thirteen. He graduated from Tarboro High School in June of 1965. From there, his career took him to Wilmington, NC and WGNI AM, briefly back to Tarboro, and off to WKGN in Knoxville, TN, before he found his place among the “KIX Men of Music” at WKIX in Raleigh, NC. He started as the mid-morning DJ from 9 AM to noon, entertaining listeners for seven years under the radio name “Jack Kane”.

After his time at WKIX he became a promotions director for The Record Bar before setting out to open his own business, The Video Production Company of America, in Charlotte, NC. In 1979, Walter became the on-air host of “Cowboy Classics,” playing a character known as “Coot Jackson” on a Saturday morning television show on WCCB-TV, in Charlotte.
After meeting his wife Connie, they moved The Video Production Company to Hawaii for three years, then to Los Angeles, California.

In 1993 Walter, Connie and daughter Katie moved to Wilmington, NC. It was in Wilmington where they started a television station WSSN-TV with a partner that would later become WILM-TV. Shortly after, Walter retired from the video and broadcasting business, enjoying his retirement in Wilmington.

Walter was known within the radio and television broadcasting industry that he loved as an innovative and award-winning talent, both on-air and behind the scenes. He loved beach music, The Beatles and bad jokes. He will be missed by his family and friends.

Due to COVID no services will be planned at this time.

Share memories and condolences by clicking on the “Condolence” tab below.

Wilmington Funeral and Cremation 1535 S. 41st Street Wilmington, NC 28403 910.791.9099.


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  • September 09, 2020
    Nancy Severance Haynes says:
    Walter and I both worked on-air in eastern North Carolina in the 1960’s — Walter in Tarboro and me in Rocky Mount. A fond memory is the time when we had lunch with Soupy Sales during a movie promotional tour. Walter and I communicated a lot during the last several months, via Facebook. I will miss him.

  • September 09, 2020
    Deb Andrew lit a candle:
    Lit since September 9, 2020 at 9:50:17 PM

  • September 09, 2020
    Don Holmes says:
    I didn't know Mr. Knox personally but I knew of him because of WKIX. We were part of the big fraternity of radio broadcasters. We shared some Facebook posts recently in radio forum. So sorry to hear of his passing. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends. May God's love help the healing of your hearts.

  • September 09, 2020
    Doug McDaniel says:
    Connie, this is shocking news. Some of my fondest memories of working as a freelance lighting director are of working with VPC of America. Never will forget how I met Walter...he called me out of the blue and ask me to come over to his house on East 5th St in CLT. He wanted me to take a look at some lights he had bought just after he had started VPC. That was the beginning of a long enjoyable relationship. We traveled to many countries over the years do videos and shows for IBM. Connie and Katie I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers go out to both of you.

  • September 09, 2020
    T.Jerry Williams says:
    I first met Walter when he worked with Bob Harper at WCPS in TARBORO and later followed his as HWK.on WKIX. We’ve been friends for decades. To Connie and the family,I,send my prayers and condolences during this time of great loss. May Walter Rest In Peace.