Charley Ray Knight

Charley Ray Knight

Charley Ray Knight

Charley Ray Knight, 69, born Sept. 10, 1942 in Taneyville, Mo., to Charley James and Eula Mae Knight, passed away Sept. 15, 2011 in Grand Coulee, Wash.

June 30, 1962 marked the beginning of the rest of his life, when he married Shirley Gideon in Harrison, Ark. A true artist and perfectionist when it came to auto body repair work, Charley owned and operated two auto body and fender repair shops, before retirement. Charley enjoyed tinkering with things mechanical and one of his proudest achievements was accomplished on Jan. 5, 1988 when his “Externally Engaging Swallow Resistant Fish Hook” was patented. This patent reflected his passion for fishing, which equally applied to hunting, but his great love was spending time with Shirley, their children and grandchildren.

Predeceased by his brother, Leroy Knight; and sister, Paula Coyle.

Charley’s legacy lives on through his bride of 49 years, Shirley Knight at their home in Nespelem, Wash; sons: Ray Lynn Knight of Nespelem, Ronald Eugene Knight (Sara) of Oroville and Robert Allen Knight of Nespelem; grandchildren: Charli Knight, Veronica Knight, Robert Knight Jr., Stormi Dawn Knight and Emilynn Knight; brothers: Jackie Knight, Billy Knight (Esther) and Jimmy Knight; sisters: Loretta Thurman (Marvin), Mary Jane Blackwood (James) and Bonnie Knight; as well as numerous Nephews and Nieces.

At Charley’s direction, cremation has taken place and no services will be held. His family requests that persons wishing to make donations in Charley’s name, please send them to the American Heart Association, File 30947, PO Box 60000, San Francisco, CA 94160 or online at: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/.

Strate Funeral Home of Grand Coulee is honored to be assisting Charley’s family.