Jack Knox was born in 1942 in Emmetsburg, Iowa. He grew up on a farm and majored in mechanical engineering at Iowa State University. Deanne and Jack were married in 1963.

Jack received his ROTC commission at graduation in 1963. He served in the Army Ordnance Corps from 1964 to 1967. He was assigned as a project officer in New Missiles and Literature, Ordnance Guided Missile School, Redstone Arsenal, AL. He left the Army as a captain in 1967 and completed his master's degree in 1968.

He worked for 3M Company for 32 years in St Paul, MN and Austin, TX and retired in 2001. He worked in product development and capital engineering. He is the recipient of numerous patents for audio visual and telephone connector products.

Jack and Deanne have two sons and three grandchildren. Since retirement, they have been busy with grandchildren, travel, genealogy, and home handyman projects.