Taylor Knight was born on March 6, 1945, in Lubbock, Texas, to Lee Roy and Lucile Knight of Tahoka. He passed peacefully in his sleep on July 9, 2013. He attended school all twelve years in Tahoka. He was involved in the FFA, junior rodeos, and played Little League Baseball and played on the Big State team. He was also involved in the Boy Scouts of America and at the age of 14 he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He attended Texas Tech University and earned a degree in agricultural education. While at Tech, Knight was a member of the Texas Tech Rodeo Team. He was an avid horseman and won numerous calf roping titles throughout his amateur career, many on his famous grey mare, Sally Goodun. Upon graduation, he taught as an agricultural science teacher before entering into farming with his father. He resumed his teaching career in 1986 and taught in several schools throughout Texas before retiring in 1999. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and boating. Taylor's other lifelong passion was raising show pigs. He was well-known throughout the junior livestock program as being one of the top show pig feeders of all time, both breeding and feeding many champion show pigs. He is survived by a son, Tadd Knight, and daughter-in-law, Scotta, of Shallowater; daughter, Tamara Bownds of Lubbock; grandchildren, Kristen and Cameron Knight of Shallowater and Brice Bownds of Lubbock; as well as his faithful dog, Feisty; along with many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee Roy and Lucile Knight of Tahoka. Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Tahoka with Pastor Ray Perryman officiating. The family suggests memorials be sent to Haven Animal Care Shelter of Lubbock at www.havenacs.org or at 4501 N FM 1729, Lubbock, TX 79403.

Published in the Lubbock Avalanche Journal on July 14, 2013