Love for the Tiernan Family

Knox John William Tiernan II, husband, father, grandfather and retired firefighter tragically passed away in his home in Kona, Hawaii on September 1, 2021 after a year of suffering from unresolved medical issues and severe pain.

Knox leaves behind his beloved wife of 35 years, Kimberly Dunivin Tiernan, and his son Austin Tiernan (fiancé Miranda), daughter Brooke Tiernan Winterbottom (husband Tanner) and grandson Walker Knox Winterbottom. Brooke is pregnant with Knox and Kim's second grandchild.

Knox is preceded in death by his oldest son Knox John William III, who passed of an accidental and tragic overdose in Sept. of 2016. An award winning film, Knox's Story, was created in his memory to help educate and save lives.

Knox, a strong, fun-loving, and brave servant spent his career and life helping others, first his family, then his friends and his community. Knox was a career firefighter and engineer, serving first in San Clemente, then Coronado, and then for 33 years in Laguna Beach. He would be the first to help someone in need and he put his own life on the line to help and save others.

Knox was born December 7, 1959, attended military school as a child where he earned straight A's and graduated from San Clemente High School in 1977 before entering the Fire Academy. Until his health impaired his abilities this past year, Knox was an active outdoorsman. He loved hiking, landscaping, surfing and throwing a football with his buddies, who will miss him immensely. Knox had a strong faith in his Lord, and his family finds hope knowing he is in heaven, whole and free of suffering.

This fund is set up to support Knox's wife Kim and his children Austin and Brooke. The Tiernan family has endured more loss in the last 5 years than anyone ever should. Kim lost her son, her brother and her father in 7 months, and now her beloved husband. Thank you for considering a contribution to help cover the family's funeral costs and to support the Tiernan family in a way their beloved Knox no longer can.

God bless and thank you.

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.”

—1 Thessalonians 4:13