On June 22, 2021, Kenneth Dean Knight, aged 66, received a call from his Lord, with an offer he couldn’t refuse – to join his Saviour in eternity.
Kenneth was born on July 25,1954 in Oceanside, California. He graduated from Granite Hills High School in El Cajon, California in 1972, and entered the Navy, where he proudly served his country for 8 years, 2 months, 7 hours, 14 minutes and 3 seconds. He married his darling wife, Llora on July 4,1976, and together they reared the 14 children that God gifted them with. Ken asked the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive his sins and save him in December of 1973. From that moment until he took his last breath, his foremost priority was to serve his Saviour, and share the gospel.
Ken ministered and preached on the mission fields of Scotland, Belgium, and Germany, and served as pastor, assistant pastor, Christian school principal, or song leader in churches in North Carolina, Ohio, and North Dakota. His life’s verse was Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” He was a man of great faith, and he passed on his faith to his children and grandchildren.
Ken was a man with an unwavering love for God first, then his beloved wife, Llora, his 14 precious children, his church, and his country. He dedicated many years and much effort into the homeschool movement, serving as President of NDHSA, for 9 years. He fought for the freedom to educate our children according to our own beliefs, without interference or restrictions. He worked in municipal water treatment for 28 years, and loved his job. He lead tours, wrote training manuals, and was proud of providing clean water to the community. He loved music, and wrote many songs. People all over the world have heard that he was a “fundamental, independent, Bible-believing, devil-hating, narrow-minded Baptist to the core.” He had an incredible sense of humor, loved his “dad jokes”, and found every opportunity to sneak in a pun. He loved to make others laugh. He loved A&W root beer, and banana pudding.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and granddaughter. He is survived by his wife, Llora, 7 daughters, 7 sons, 5 sons-in-law, 2 daughters-in-law, 28 grandchildren, 1 unborn great grandchild, 2 sisters and a brother.
He spent his life giving to others; he truly lived the verse, “whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them:”. He blessed so many lives, and had an impact on countless others. His death leaves an empty spot in his family, his church, and his community. He will be greatly missed. He truly is “absent from the body, and present with the Lord.” We’ll see you in Glory some day!
His funeral service will be held at Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson, ND, on June 28, 2021 at 3:00pm. He will be interned at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, ND.
