James (Jim) McKnight passed away peacefully, at his home, comforted by his special friend Sandy Rickards.
Jim was the son of Elisher and Laurencia McKnight. He was a true and proud "Yooper," enjoying everything the Upper Peninsula had to offer; hunting, (ice) fishing, boating and youth sports.
Jim's service to his country and community began at an early age and lasted most of his life. Not long after high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army, and while stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he met the former Dorothy Ross, his wife of nearly 57 years. She preceded him in death.
Soon after separating from the Army, he became a member of the Gladstone Police force, continuing as the force transitioned to Gladstone Public Safety. He served as an officer from March 1967 until he retired in January 1994. He was twice elected to the Gladstone City Commission serving from April 1994 to 1997 and again from April 2001 to 2009. He was also a longstanding member of the American Legion.
Jim was always known as a very fair police officer and always put a person's safety first, recognizing the people he encountered as his neighbors, often letting them off with a warning or an escort home. He loved the City of Gladstone and was instrumental in bringing the fishing pier and veterans memorial to fruition. He supported youth sports and for numerous years coached boy's and girl's baseball.
Jim had many talents that were sometimes understated. He was a self-taught musician who enjoyed sharing his talents with his grand and great-grandchildren and friends. He enjoyed performing with the barbershop quartet and could often be found singing and playing his guitar for residents at local senior centers and nursing homes.
He cherished family game night and was notorious for "Jim's version of the rules" that miraculously changed as the games progressed. Much to the chagrin of the rest of the family, he loved classic movies, specifically war and western (cowboy) movies. One thing his family will sorely miss are his famous Sunday breakfasts. He had a passion for anything outdoors, especially hunting and fishing.
Jim was survived by: four attentive children, Lorraine, Gerald (LeVette), Daniel and Elaine and daughter-in-law, Amy McKnight; five grandchildren, Elijah (Treana) Riley, Bethany (Andrew) McKnight-Kamau, Haley, Donovan and James McKnight and five great-grandchildren, Simone, Malachi, Elijah Jr, Eliana and Emmanuelle; sisters Clara Moser and Frances McCulley; brothers Richard McKnight and Elmer (Dorothy) MacKnight; very special, compassionate friend, Sandy Rickards; as well as a host of extended family and friends whom he cherished.
He was preceded in death by: his wife, Dorothy; parents, Elisher and Laurencia; brothers, Arnold Eagle and Leroy McKnight and sisters, Marion Leisenring, Patricia Irving and Doris Scheuren.
A quote very fitting for Jim is "Do you not know that a man is not dead while his name is still Spoken" per Terry Pratchett. His presence is gone but his memories are life lessons to us all.
Visitation at the Skradski Funeral Home with Military rites by the Gladstone American Legion August Mattson Post 71. Funeral services officiated by Pastor Dale Ecklid officiating. Committal prayers at the Rapid River Cemetery.
Jim was the son of Elisher and Laurencia McKnight. He was a true and proud "Yooper," enjoying everything the Upper Peninsula had to offer; hunting, (ice) fishing, boating and youth sports.
Jim's service to his country and community began at an early age and lasted most of his life. Not long after high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army, and while stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he met the former Dorothy Ross, his wife of nearly 57 years. She preceded him in death.
Soon after separating from the Army, he became a member of the Gladstone Police force, continuing as the force transitioned to Gladstone Public Safety. He served as an officer from March 1967 until he retired in January 1994. He was twice elected to the Gladstone City Commission serving from April 1994 to 1997 and again from April 2001 to 2009. He was also a longstanding member of the American Legion.
Jim was always known as a very fair police officer and always put a person's safety first, recognizing the people he encountered as his neighbors, often letting them off with a warning or an escort home. He loved the City of Gladstone and was instrumental in bringing the fishing pier and veterans memorial to fruition. He supported youth sports and for numerous years coached boy's and girl's baseball.
Jim had many talents that were sometimes understated. He was a self-taught musician who enjoyed sharing his talents with his grand and great-grandchildren and friends. He enjoyed performing with the barbershop quartet and could often be found singing and playing his guitar for residents at local senior centers and nursing homes.
He cherished family game night and was notorious for "Jim's version of the rules" that miraculously changed as the games progressed. Much to the chagrin of the rest of the family, he loved classic movies, specifically war and western (cowboy) movies. One thing his family will sorely miss are his famous Sunday breakfasts. He had a passion for anything outdoors, especially hunting and fishing.
Jim was survived by: four attentive children, Lorraine, Gerald (LeVette), Daniel and Elaine and daughter-in-law, Amy McKnight; five grandchildren, Elijah (Treana) Riley, Bethany (Andrew) McKnight-Kamau, Haley, Donovan and James McKnight and five great-grandchildren, Simone, Malachi, Elijah Jr, Eliana and Emmanuelle; sisters Clara Moser and Frances McCulley; brothers Richard McKnight and Elmer (Dorothy) MacKnight; very special, compassionate friend, Sandy Rickards; as well as a host of extended family and friends whom he cherished.
He was preceded in death by: his wife, Dorothy; parents, Elisher and Laurencia; brothers, Arnold Eagle and Leroy McKnight and sisters, Marion Leisenring, Patricia Irving and Doris Scheuren.
A quote very fitting for Jim is "Do you not know that a man is not dead while his name is still Spoken" per Terry Pratchett. His presence is gone but his memories are life lessons to us all.
Visitation at the Skradski Funeral Home with Military rites by the Gladstone American Legion August Mattson Post 71. Funeral services officiated by Pastor Dale Ecklid officiating. Committal prayers at the Rapid River Cemetery.
James (Jim) McKnight passed away peacefully, at his home, comforted by his special friend Sandy Rickards.
Jim was the son of Elisher and Laurencia McKnight. He was a true and proud "Yooper," enjoying everything the Upper Peninsula had to offer; hunting, (ice) fishing, boating and youth sports.
Jim's service to his country and community began at an early age and lasted most of his life. Not long after high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army, and while stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he met the former Dorothy Ross, his wife of nearly 57 years. She preceded him in death.
Soon after separating from the Army, he became a member of the Gladstone Police force, continuing as the force transitioned to Gladstone Public Safety. He served as an officer from March 1967 until he retired in January 1994. He was twice elected to the Gladstone City Commission serving from April 1994 to 1997 and again from April 2001 to 2009. He was also a longstanding member of the American Legion.
Jim was always known as a very fair police officer and always put a person's safety first, recognizing the people he encountered as his neighbors, often letting them off with a warning or an escort home. He loved the City of Gladstone and was instrumental in bringing the fishing pier and veterans memorial to fruition. He supported youth sports and for numerous years coached boy's and girl's baseball.
Jim had many talents that were sometimes understated. He was a self-taught musician who enjoyed sharing his talents with his grand and great-grandchildren and friends. He enjoyed performing with the barbershop quartet and could often be found singing and playing his guitar for residents at local senior centers and nursing homes.
He cherished family game night and was notorious for "Jim's version of the rules" that miraculously changed as the games progressed. Much to the chagrin of the rest of the family, he loved classic movies, specifically war and western (cowboy) movies. One thing his family will sorely miss are his famous Sunday breakfasts. He had a passion for anything outdoors, especially hunting and fishing.
Jim was survived by: four attentive children, Lorraine, Gerald (LeVette), Daniel and Elaine and daughter-in-law, Amy McKnight; five grandchildren, Elijah (Treana) Riley, Bethany (Andrew) McKnight-Kamau, Haley, Donovan and James McKnight and five great-grandchildren, Simone, Malachi, Elijah Jr, Eliana and Emmanuelle; sisters Clara Moser and Frances McCulley; brothers Richard McKnight and Elmer (Dorothy) MacKnight; very special, compassionate friend, Sandy Rickards; as well as a host of extended family and friends whom he cherished.
He was preceded in death by: his wife, Dorothy; parents, Elisher and Laurencia; brothers, Arnold Eagle and Leroy McKnight and sisters, Marion Leisenring, Patricia Irving and Doris Scheuren.
A quote very fitting for Jim is "Do you not know that a man is not dead while his name is still Spoken" per Terry Pratchett. His presence is gone but his memories are life lessons to us all.
Visitation at the Skradski Funeral Home with Military rites by the Gladstone American Legion August Mattson Post 71. Funeral services officiated by Pastor Dale Ecklid officiating. Committal prayers at the Rapid River Cemetery.
Jim was the son of Elisher and Laurencia McKnight. He was a true and proud "Yooper," enjoying everything the Upper Peninsula had to offer; hunting, (ice) fishing, boating and youth sports.
Jim's service to his country and community began at an early age and lasted most of his life. Not long after high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army, and while stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he met the former Dorothy Ross, his wife of nearly 57 years. She preceded him in death.
Soon after separating from the Army, he became a member of the Gladstone Police force, continuing as the force transitioned to Gladstone Public Safety. He served as an officer from March 1967 until he retired in January 1994. He was twice elected to the Gladstone City Commission serving from April 1994 to 1997 and again from April 2001 to 2009. He was also a longstanding member of the American Legion.
Jim was always known as a very fair police officer and always put a person's safety first, recognizing the people he encountered as his neighbors, often letting them off with a warning or an escort home. He loved the City of Gladstone and was instrumental in bringing the fishing pier and veterans memorial to fruition. He supported youth sports and for numerous years coached boy's and girl's baseball.
Jim had many talents that were sometimes understated. He was a self-taught musician who enjoyed sharing his talents with his grand and great-grandchildren and friends. He enjoyed performing with the barbershop quartet and could often be found singing and playing his guitar for residents at local senior centers and nursing homes.
He cherished family game night and was notorious for "Jim's version of the rules" that miraculously changed as the games progressed. Much to the chagrin of the rest of the family, he loved classic movies, specifically war and western (cowboy) movies. One thing his family will sorely miss are his famous Sunday breakfasts. He had a passion for anything outdoors, especially hunting and fishing.
Jim was survived by: four attentive children, Lorraine, Gerald (LeVette), Daniel and Elaine and daughter-in-law, Amy McKnight; five grandchildren, Elijah (Treana) Riley, Bethany (Andrew) McKnight-Kamau, Haley, Donovan and James McKnight and five great-grandchildren, Simone, Malachi, Elijah Jr, Eliana and Emmanuelle; sisters Clara Moser and Frances McCulley; brothers Richard McKnight and Elmer (Dorothy) MacKnight; very special, compassionate friend, Sandy Rickards; as well as a host of extended family and friends whom he cherished.
He was preceded in death by: his wife, Dorothy; parents, Elisher and Laurencia; brothers, Arnold Eagle and Leroy McKnight and sisters, Marion Leisenring, Patricia Irving and Doris Scheuren.
A quote very fitting for Jim is "Do you not know that a man is not dead while his name is still Spoken" per Terry Pratchett. His presence is gone but his memories are life lessons to us all.
Visitation at the Skradski Funeral Home with Military rites by the Gladstone American Legion August Mattson Post 71. Funeral services officiated by Pastor Dale Ecklid officiating. Committal prayers at the Rapid River Cemetery.
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