Jerry Knight

Our dear Lord lovingly called Jerry Dale Knight home in the early morning hours of April 11, 2021 at 6:24A.M. at his home in Sulphur Springs, Texas, comforted by his family and friends. Funeral service will be held at 2:00P.M. on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Chapel. Please follow social distancing guidelines and wear a mask. Interment will follow at Daugherty Cemetery with Larry Neal, Ricky Rainey, John Rugg, Wes Hendrix, Jarrod Brewer and Cliff Statham serving as pallbearers and Gordon Frazier, Gayle Hague, Alan Farris, Lynn Guthrie, Hal Pipkin, J.I Page and Ray Pierson serving as honorary pallbearers.

Jerry was born to Haskell and Alice (Frazier) Knight on November 30, 1951. He attended and graduated from Sulphur Springs High School. In 1970, after graduation, he attended Texas State Technical College in Waco, Texas, earning a degree in HVAC. He started his working history for Gene Rawson, and later joined Sulphur Springs Farm Supply, owned by Mr. George Ward. In the next few years, he sold HydroTex oil products and later life insurance. He served for 6 years in the Sulphur Springs unit of the Texas National Guard, preforming his 6-month basic training in Fort Ord, California, from 1972 through 1978, along with friend, Michael Carnes, also of Sulphur Springs.

After returning from his basic training, he married Shirley Dicken McPeak on June 16, 1972. They were married for 10 years, she survives him. Daughter, Julie Ann Knight was born on June 11, 1974. He later married Shirley Hector on November 19, 1982 and lived with her until her death in 2015. Daughter, Kristi Lynn Knight was born on September 22, 1984.

While in high school, his true talent for music became evident, and he and his friend, Gaylon Odom, began to make music, winning several awards during the FFA competitions. They played for numerous events while still in school, including Miller Grove Junior-Senior Prom in 1971. This would begin a lifelong love of playing and singing. He played with numerous musicians over the years, some who include Gale Hague from Yantis, Texas, Johnny Waldon from Quitman, Texas, Jack, Jeff Godfrey and Larry Neal from Sulphur Springs, playing various clubs, benefits, anywhere people wanted to hear good music.

In the 70s and 80s, he enjoyed performing with friends and entertaining countless fans who would follow the performers from place to place. They entertained at VFWs and American Legions in Sulphur Springs, Greenville, Farmersville, Quitman, Paris, did numerous benefits and performed regularly at the Bar G Country Club in Commerce. They were invited to perform in Dallas for New Years Eve at the Hilton for 2 years. Crowds always enjoyed themselves, almost as much as Jerry and his fellow band members enjoyed preforming for them. In recent years, he continued his music in numerous locations, including Riley Springs and Mineola.

He is survived by his daughters, Julie Ann Knight of Brashear, Texas, and Kristi Lynn Knight of Sulphur Springs, Texas; grandchildren, Christian Alexander Plunkett of Sulphur Springs, Shawn Aubrey Dennis of Satillo, Grayson Connor Routh and Maurley Sawyer Routh of Sulphur Springs. Gloria Kemp, long-time companion of Canton, Texas also survives. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father; brother Doyce Knight of Emory; wife, Shirley Hector Knight; stepson, Kevin Plunkett; aunts, Opal, Lois and Ruby; cousin, Gene Frazier.

He was also preceded in death by several friends, who entertained with him, including Gaylon Odom of Sulphur Springs, Roger Mabry of Sulphur Springs, MR. Doug Estes of North Hopkins and Roger Berry of Sulphur Springs.

Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Jerry.