J. Roger Knight went to join his Lord and Savior on April 29, 2017 surrounded by loved ones, including his wife Mary Jo, from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Roger was born on August 22, 1937 in Denver, Colorado, to Mary Louise & Oliver Knight.  He was raised in Caracas, Venezuela and attended Kiski Preparatory in Pennsylvania where he was known as the “South American Flash” and “The Brain”.  Upon graduating Cum Laude from Kiski he attended Rice University in Houston Texas, graduating in 1961 with a Bachelors of Arts and Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering. 

While in Houston, he met (via a blind date) and married the love of his life, the former Mary Jo Felder.   Roger & Mary Jo were married on June 7, 1960 in Houston Texas.  In 1961 the young family relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to begin a 35-year career with the Westinghouse Electric Company with the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory.  In 1981 the family relocated to Idaho Falls, where he managed Westinghouse’s Extended Core Facility (ECF) for the Naval Reactor Facility (NRF) for the Department of Defense.  In 1987 the family relocated to Richland, Washington where he continued working for Westinghouse Hanford Company until his retirement in 1996. 

His fondest memories of his youth were mostly centered around his summers in Wyoming fishing the Platte River & Douglas Creek in Eastern Wyoming.  In later years, he continued this love of the outdoors  teaching his kids (and, later his grandkids) to fish in Wyoming, and upon moving to Idaho, in the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River in the their little camper.  In his 40’s, the entire family took up skiing to survive the long winters in Idaho which provided another outlet to enjoy God’s beautiful creation on wonderful ski trips with family and many dear friends.

Upon retirement, he and Mary Jo traveled extensively with numerous friends and family to as far as China & Israel and dozens of other locations.  Their favorite place was the Hawaiian island of Kauai where they spent many winter days enjoying the sun and beautiful scenery.  He was a regular at many of the finest wineries in Eastern Washington & was the (unofficial) Washington Wine Ambassador.  He spent many hours giving of his time and talents to West Side Church in Richland and many other faith-based organizations.  He was especially active in the West Side Trainees program, the West Side Staff Committee, and Logos Corporation.

Roger and Mary Jo were blessed with a wonderful family: Kirby & Cathy Ogle of Duncanville, Texas, along and their children Ryan Ogle, Elizabeth Ogle (and her fiancé Zach Krahulik) & Tyler Ogle;  Robert & Susan Birney of Richland, Washington and their children Jennifer (Winter) Regimbal (and her husband Austin), Mathew Winter and Kimberly Birney;  Jim & Alicia Knight of Boerne, Texas and their child Cody Knight.  He loved his 7 grandchildren who were the light of his life as he was acutely aware of the legacy he could leave through their lives.  Although Roger had many passions, family was a priority and he and Mary Jo loved gathering all their offspring in varied and adventurous locations.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years Mary Jo, his sister Cynthia (Knight) Deveraux of Laramie, Wyoming, all of his children, 7 grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, all whom he cared for greatly.

He is preceded in death by his father Oliver & mother Mary Louise.  We know that he is fishing for fat trout with his father, being fawned over by his mother, and being ministered to in Heaven by his dear friend Dr. Jim Long.  The family takes great comfort in knowing he is visiting with and sharing great stories with many long separated friends in their Heavenly home.

The family is thankful for all the love and support that was shown to them by precious friends over the last few years. Special recognition to the West Side Church family and the many loving care givers over the last year at Brookdale Memory Care Community on Torbett Road in Richland.

In lieu of flowers the family requests any gifts please be made to the Trainee Committee at West Side Church of Richland, or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

A Celebration of Life will be held at West Side Church North Building on May 6, 2017 at 1:00 in the afternoon located at 615 Wright Avenue Richland, Washington 99352.  The family also will welcome friends after the ceremony at a reception to be announced following the service.