President Kenneth Young Knight

The following was sent to me on June 8th, 1999-Obituary: Kenneth Young Knight
Our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Kenneth Young Knight, passed away peacefully at his home on June 5, 1999 following a brief but intense struggle with cancer. Though his last days were filled with illness, he was surrounded by those he loved, and he died as he lived-with courage, humor and faith. Ken was born in Woodland, Utah on January 4, 1927, the third of four children born to Gladys Young and George Chester Knight. He attended schools in Salt Lake City, including West High School, where he proudly served as Student Body President. He graduated in 1944 and immediately joined the army. After completing basic training in Texas, he served in the Signal Corps in Alaska. Ken attended Oregon State College and graduated from the University of Utah in Electrical Engineering. He earned his MBA from Stanford University. He worked for Hughes Aircraft in Los Angeles, and later was Vice President of Scope Industries, also in Los Angeles. He married Nancy Ann Rich on June 27, 1955 in the Salt Lake Temple, and together they raised five children who were the light of his life. In 1968, Ken moved his family to Salt Lake City to join his close childhood friend, Earl Holding, as a partner in Little America Corporation. Their partnership lasted 30 years and was extremely productive. Ken retired from Little America/Sinclair Oil in January 1998. Ken loved Utah and was proud to live here. He devoted his time, energy and considerable talents to making this community a better place to live. He served tirelessly on many boards and committees, including the Honorary Colonels, the Heart and Lung Foundation, Southern Utah University Board of Fellows, the BYU National Round Table Advisory Committee and the Salt Palace Renovation Oversight Committee. He also served as Chairman of the Utah Symphony Board of Directors, the Salt Lake Valley Hospitals Governing Board of Intermountain Health Care, the Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Trustees of LDS Hospital, the Salt Palace Advisory Board, the Salt Lake Visitors & Convention Bureau, and the Economic Development Council of Utah. He received many awards and honors, including the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce 1998 "Giant in Our City" Award, the Arthritis Foundation 1995 "Man of the Year" Award, the Boy Scouts of America 1992 "Distinguished Citizen" Award, the AMICUS "Gold Caduceus" Award, and the Executive Women International "Executive of the Year" Award. Ken was a faithful member of the LDS Church and served in many different church callings. At the time he was diagnosed with cancer, he was serving as President of the LDS Canada Vancouver Mission. When it became apparent that he was too ill tocontinue serving there, he left his mission with profound regret-for he loved the work and his missionaries deeply. Ken is survived by his loving wife, Nancy; his children, Kevin (Viviana) Knight, Santa Monica, CA; Karen Knight (Jim Ruby), Seward, NE; Steven (Carol) Knight, Salt Lake City; David (Kathy) Knight, Salt Lake City; and Lucy (Thomas) Andre, Bountiful; and his beautiful grandchildren who he loved dearly and of whom he was so proud: Afton Knight; Emilie and Kenny Eagan; Alex, Abbey, Erin and Benjamin Knight; Sarah, Hannah and David Patten Knight; and Adam, Jason and Amy Andre. He is also survived by a sister, Elaine Steffens, of San Francisco, CA; a brother, Gordon (Margery) Knight, of Fresno, CA; two nephews, Grant and Barry Knight; and some 240 missionaries with whom he served in the Canada Vancouver Mission. He loved you all! He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, George ("Junior") Knight; and his beloved grandson, Thomas Knight. We know he has already had a wonderful and long-awaited reunion with them. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, June 9, 1999 at 2 p.m. at the Salt Lake Valley View Stake Center, 2245 East 3900 South. Friends may call Tuesday, June 8, 1999 from 6-8 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive, and on Wednesday from 12:30-1:45 p.m. at the Stake Center prior to the services. Interment will follow at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. The family wishes to thank Dr. William Reilly, Cara Mickelson, Dr. Craig Harmon and Jeanne Morris for their loving and attentive care during Ken's illness. For those who may wish to make a contribution in Ken's name, donations to his beloved Utah Symphony would be appreciated.T 6/6N 6/8