James William Knaub

James “Jim” William Knaub, 1956-2024, finished his race Monday, Nov. 18 in Long Beach, California.

He was born to Leola and George Knaub in Corona, California, on Jan. 5, 1956, minutes after his twin sister, Debra Cathleen. They were raised in Lakewood, California, with their brothers and sisters, Cheryl Knaub (Larry Lea), Fred Knaub (Mitzi), and Stanley Knaub.

Knaub was an Olympic Trials pole vaulter who made it to the semifinals in 1976, In 1978, he was hit by a car while riding his motorcycle, paralyzing him from the waist down. In place of pole vaulting, he embraced wheelchair racing, winning the Boston Marathon five times, the L.A. Marathon three times and holding every wheelchair racing world record from the 5K through marathon distances.

He was also an actor, appearing in shows such as “Airwolf,” “The A-Team,” “The Love Boat,” “M*A*S*H” and “Happy Days.” In later years, he started a fundraising campaign, The PCH Cleanup Project, to encourage people to spend time outdoors and pick up litter.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Stanley. He is survived by his sister Deb (Curt Walker), brother Fred (Mitzi) and sister Cheryl Lea.