Thomas D. Knight, 81, who became a well-known horseman and fisherman, passed away from congestive heart failure May 9, 2015. Tom was born in November 1933 in Orofino, son of David and Lorraine Knight. He was raised in the woods near Pierce, attended Lewiston schools and graduated from Lewiston High School in June 1952. On graduation weekend, he married his high school sweetheart, Claudia Cay, in June 1952. Thomas helped his father at the service station while Claudia helped her parents at the grocery store on Fifth Street and Bryden Avenue in Lewiston. Daughter Mary Kathryn was born in April 1953, and Linda Jean was born in May 1955, completing the marriage with two darling daughters.
The Knight family really took a change in life. In 1957, they bought a horse and enjoying horses was a hobby that turned into a business of breeding and showing. His so-loved horse, Sam, made it into the quarter horse national finals. Thomas also joined the Saddle Club, sheriff's posse and Backcountry Horsemen. In 1952, Thomas was employed by Potlatch Corp., working on the mill pond and guiding logs onto the bull chain. After the mill pond was drained, Thomas worked in the old bulk chipper on the plywood side. He did about every job position there was before working with "Plystran" and finishing as a journeyman pipefitter. He retired after 39 years.
When Claudia passed, he went back to his love of fishing, and met Juanita Hewitt and was married in March 1997. They enjoyed dancing, fishing and traveling and they both traveled to the East Coast; Tom thought he would never go to New York, Niagara Falls and Canada. He also traveled north to Alaska on fishing trips and south with the gang to Arizona. After 10 years, the marriage ended.
He danced country western twice a week and he became a member of the Elks, Eagles and the Moose lodges in Lewiston. The Northwest was Tom's love, and he enjoyed Dworshak and the mountains of Idaho on horseback, snowmobile and four-wheeler.
Thomas is survived by daughters Linda York and Mary Keeler; and granddaughters Gina York, Randa Keeler and Lori Roberts.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Ellie Osborn and Peggy Edmonson Vilgos.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. May 21 at Malcom's Brower-Wann Funeral Home in Lewiston.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to an organization of your choice.
Service Information
- Date & Time
- Thursday, May 21, 11:00 AM
- Location
-
Malcom's Brower-Wann Funeral Home
1711 18th Street
Lewiston, ID 83501
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1711 18th Street