Dr. Homer Knizley Jr., MD's Obituary
Dr. Homer Knizley Jr., MD
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Homer Knizley. He was born in Lake Garfield, Fl on March 20, 1938. He passed, at his Flagler Beach residence on October 13, 2024. Family members were by his side. Homer was a Christian and studied the Bible extensively as a young man. His spirit now resides, with God and the world has lost a uniquely brilliant mind.
All who knew him recognized his genius. His academic accomplishments are too numerous to list. He was the Valedictorian of Lake Wales High School Class of 1955. He attended the University of the South, Sewanee on an academic scholarship. After two years, he transferred to the University of Florida. He graduated UF with a B.S Degree in Chemistry. He finished four years of college with a 4.0. He was named to the UF Hall of Fame and graduated with High Honors. Homer attended the University of Florida School of Medicine where he finished number one in the class of 1963. He did his internship at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center and followed that as a Resident in Psychiatry at the UCLA Center for Health Science. He was then a Graduate student in Biochemistry at Georgetown University. He returned to Shands Teaching Hospital and earned a Fellowship in Endocrinology. This proved to be a life-changing move.
Endocrinology was his passion. He stayed at Shands. First, as an Assistant Professor of Medicine and then as Chief of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism. His full tenure at Shands lasted from 1969 to 1973. The University of Florida College of Medicine graduating class of 1974 awarded him the Hippocratic Award for Teaching Excellence in 1974. In a lifetime of honors and achievements, he was most proud of this award.
Dr. Knizley loved teaching but knew that his purpose was to apply his genius to patient care. He embarked on a 35-year career in private practice. First at the Gainesville Medical Group and then at his own Knizley Endocrine and Diabetic Care practice. He was known throughout the medical community as a brilliant diagnostician and a patient-oriented physician. He was a master at solving health care issues that were a mystery to others. He gave new hope to countless patients and was loved and admired by those fortunate enough to be under his care.
Homer had a passion for sports. He was an All-State football player at Lake Wales and played two seasons for Sewanee. He was accomplished in both baseball and basketball. Baseball was his favorite. He coached the North Florida Regional Pony League team to numerous championships. He cherished these memories. He was an avid fan of all Gator sports and a lifetime New York Yankee fan.
Homer was a loyal family man. He was preceded in death by his parents Homer Sr. and Vadie, his sister Jenette and his son Brett. He is survived by sons Andrew (Betty) and Clifford (Kim) and his grandkids Bria, Lincoln, Brian, Lillian and Kara; a brother, James and a sister Jan.
He had a unique lifelong bond with his Brother-In-Law Ken Bostwick (Jean). The love, respect and admiration his family held for Homer is immeasurable.
Homer met the love of his life Jo Ann when they were both 14. They were married at the age of 20 and remained married for 66 years. They were devoted to one another to the very end. Only mortality could separate the two. They had a bond that few could know. Jo Ann survives Homer and will cherish him always as will all who knew him.
A private family memorial service was held and in lieu of flowers, buy yourself a margarita and toast Homer.
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