James G. Knight died in his home in Springfield, MO on June 23, 2017 after a long illness. He was born June 15, 1945 in Los Angeles, CA to Paul E. Knight and Pauline (Rayburn) Knight. Jim grew up in St. Louis, MO and Centralia, IL. He graduated from Centralia Township High School before attending Illinois State University and studying CAD/CAM engineering at DeVry Technical Institute.
Jim worked at GE in Bloomington, IL before moving to Springfield, MO. He worked for Litton Systems for many years, but he was best known as the long-time owner of Knightyme Bar & Billiards in Springfield, MO.
He was intelligent, funny, had a sharp wit and was a man of many interests. Jim loved old rock-n-roll and pretty women. He loved playing golf, going to the casino, cooking for a crowd and collecting cast iron cooking utensils. He enjoyed trivia and internet fact-finding. Most of all, he loved being around all his friends and family.
Everyone Jim met became part of his extended family: employees, customers, “drunk table” regulars, golf buddies. If you needed help, Jim was the man to call. He’d find you a job, a car, a place to live, a meal; or he’d offer a hug, a shoulder to cry on or a swift kick in the butt, if that’s was was needed. Jim had a generous heart and no one was a stranger to him for long.
Jim lost his beloved wife, Betty Raye (Quincy) Knight (“the love of my life”) in 2010. He is survived by his daughter, Carrie Knight Fingerle; his sons Bob Piker and Thomas Piker; and his step-daughter Toni Quincy-Vasso, as well as eight grandchildren: Ross Knight, Logan Piker, Owen Piker, Ryann Piker, Trenton Piker, Sydney Piker, Tanner Pettit and Jessica Raye Clevenger (“the apple of my eye”).
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Donnie Knight and two sisters, Peg (Dearborn) Shahan and Marilyn Hannah Swanson. He is survived by five siblings: Marion (Knight) Wood, Lowell “Bud” Anderson, Grace (Rice) Wood, Dan Knight and Jeanne Knight, as well as a long list of sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, cousins and so many extended family members.
Whether you say a prayer or lift a glass, remember him well. We’ll miss you, Jim.
Memorial visitation will be Wednesday June 28, 2017 from 4 pm to 8 p.m. at Green- lawn Funeral Home South and Graveside services will be Thursday June 29, 2017 at 11 AM at Blue Eye Cemetery in Blue Eye Missouri. Memorial donations may be made to the Steve Sickmans Funeral C/O Jessica Clevenger.