Mark Knowles followed a ritual every day. He went fishing at the Trinity River, came home and ate dinner while watching his favorite TV show with his wife, Elizabeth.

On October 23, Elizabeth Knowles left work and called her husband to ask if he was fishing. He laughed and said he wasn’t there yet, but he was on his way. That was the last time she heard his voice on the phone.

Mark Knowles’ body has been recovered from the Clear Fork of the Trinity River in Fort Worth last week, according to police. An autopsy is being performed by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the 66-year-old’s cause of death. Elizabeth said she anticipates they won’t have the autopsy report ready for about 90 days.

Mark, who was retired, served as a crossing guard at Lily B. Clayton Elementary School and as a security officer at TCU.

Dwayne Ferguson, another custodian at the elementary school, said Mark, also known affectionately as Pops, he did a lot for the kids and the community.

He handed out lollipops to each kid on the way home, telling them to make sure they listened to their parents and did their homework, and the students loved him, Ferguson said.

“We dressed up every holiday, laughed, danced and played music,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said it will be tough this holiday season without Mark, but they will likely still dress up to try to preserve his legacy.

Eric Gilbert, commander of TCU’s Special Operations Division, said Mark was very outgoing and curious and was excited to be a part of TCU.

Gilbert said that on the job, Mark was always helpful and could be counted on to volunteer for any assignment on campus.

Every year, moving in new students is a big event for TCU, and Mark is engaged, making sure people have water and everyone is taken care of, Gilbert said.

“We definitely miss him,” Gilbert said. “Unfortunately, we only have a small, limited amount of time to spend with him here. He was definitely a dedicated employee.”

Perry Johnston, a neighbor and classmate at TCU, said Mark enjoyed working TCU football games. He had a relationship with many students there, he said.

“It wasn’t a long relationship, but it was a short but meaningful relationship,” said Johnston, who had known Mark for about two and a half years.

Community members and elementary school students placed signs in his memory outside on the school grounds, where he handed out candy to children.

“Sinners, thank you for keeping us safe. Always in our hearts,” reads one of the posters.

“You know, not everybody has that kind of outpouring for you,” Johnston said. “If you commit to having a relationship with your friends, family, and neighbors, and that’s how they returned the favor, showing how much they loved him.”

Elizabeth said her husband died doing what he loved most, which was fishing. It’s comforting to her that the community has expressed how much they love him, she said.

Not only did he dress up for the kids at school, but he dressed up for every holiday with his family, Elizabeth said. Mark had already chosen a costume for Halloween: he planned to dress up as the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland.

“We’re going to trick or treat with the grandkids and celebrate Pops that way,” Elizabeth said.