Richard Franklin Knight
Richard Franklin Knight of Piedmont, MO (formerly of St. Clair, MO) was born March 22, 1936, in Maryville TN, the son of Troy Richard and Grace (Peterson) Knight. He passed away at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center surrounded by his family on March 9, 2023, at the age of 86 years 11 months and 12 days.
Richard is survived by his four children: Tracy Knight of St. Louis, MO; Kim Knight Reid and husband Chris of High Ridge, MO; Chip Knight and wife Nichole of Cedar Hill, MO; and Megan Knight Kinworthy and husband Michael of High Ridge, MO; as well as eight grandchildren Kiera, Jaina, Mars, Langford, Vada, Tripp, Sylvia, and Rowan. He was preceded in death by his wife and the mother of his children Karen Knight in 2009.
Rich is also survived by his closest friend and partner Doris Ramsey of Piedmont and her son David Ellinghouse and wife Amy and their children Andrew and Anna of Dexter. Rich and Doris met 14 years ago while Richard was performing karaoke. Music was a great part of Richard’s life and he was a very talented singer. He had performed at many events including the Ozark Heritage Festival. He had even recorded a record in Nashville, TN of songs written just for him.
He was an OTR trucker for over forty years where he made many friends and carried an excellent safety record. He remembered driving a truck years ago to Piedmont from his home in St. Clair, never realizing that he would be living here someday.
He was a member in good standing for 43 years of the Masonic Order, Fraternal Lodge No. 363 of Robertsville, MO. He was also very active in Eastern Star with his wife Karen. Rich was a proud veteran having served honorably in the U.S. Air Force from 1956 to 1959.
Rich enjoyed meeting and talking to people every day. He loved to share stories about his life, his family, and his pets. He felt his neighbors were like family. He loved going to auctions and going to Branson. He loved the Smoky Mtns. where he was born and raised. He enjoyed watching basketball games and his favorite KC Chiefs football team. He never met a stranger and always tried to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
The family requests that memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital—website www.stjude.org– or to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation—website www.jdrf.org.
Visitation and a celebration of his life will be held at Morrison Funeral Chapel in Piedmont on Saturday, March 18 from 2 pm to 5 pm. All family and friends are welcome—Rich loved company.
