John Frederick Knitter

John Fredrick Knitter: kind, gentle, and forever patient; stalwart friend and mentor; you left us on June 10, 2024, at the young age of 82 years.
John Knitter was born on March 8, 1942, in Arizona, and spent his younger years growing up on a ranch with his father, mother and brother. John's teenage years were spent in the Riverside and San Bernardino County areas of Southern California. John later moved, and began his adult professional life as a mortgage broker with Directors Mortgage in Indio, California. There, he started his life with his wife Neomi, and their children, Michael and Barbara. John and Neomi eventually parted ways, but remained lifelong friends.
John Knitter joined the "old Indio Elks Lodge #1643", in downtown Indio, 61 years ago, at the age of 21 years. There, his lifelong commitment to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, which was formed in 1868, and it's mission, began. That mission, necessary to any memory of John, is that The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America will serve its people and communities through is benevolent programs, as long as the organization exists. Ten years later, at the age of 31 years, John Knitter became the youngest Exalted Ruler in the State of California. He initiated many who would give much to the Elks, including another member of the Indio Lodge, later to be a member of Yreka Elks Lodge #1980, Courtney Winte. While in Indio, John enjoyed hunting, Indio Lodge activities, and his love of his Datsun 'Z' cars.
Then, one day, John disappeared from all non-necessary Elks functions. John had met the love of his life, Diane"Schuffy" Schuff. To the astonishment of many, it was true. Married in the Chrystal Cathedral in 1986, John and Diane began their epic love story.
Sometime in 1988, John visited his friend Courtney, in Yreka, California. John visited the Yreka community, visited the land, and the Yreka Elks Lodge #1980. John decided to move to Yreka and open a branch of Directors Mortgage, with Diane's whole hearted support.
One morning, after a visit to Yreka, and before returning to his 'Bride' (as John eternally called Diane) in Southern California, John stopped for coffee at Courtney's house. Unfortunately, the coffee had been made on their wood stove. John left for his bride with blistered lips. Thus, giving rise to the common phrase 'Knitter Hot'.
Upon moving to Yreka, John and Diane became trusted and valued members of the business community. John and Diane also became committed, valued members, and team, of the Yreka Elks Lodge #1980, its purpose, and its goals of furthering the B.P.O.E. mission.
John served in many Elk official positions. Not only for the local Yreka Elks Lodge, but the Northern California District of Elks and state level offices. And, in times of need, John returned to serve as an officer in the Yreka Elks Lodge. For years, John coached the Elks Ritual Competition. A competition requiring Elk's members to commit to memory and recital the Elks ideals and commitments to American society, children and veterans.
John Knitter: Slow, very slow, to anger. Patient and calm. Mentor to so many.
John was preceded in death by his son, Michael.
To Ese* Juanito:
You shalt lie down with the patriarchs of the world; kings, queens, the powerful of the earth-the wise, the good, the fair, and the hoary seers of ages past. And lie down with pleasant dreams. (taken from Thanatopsis W.C. Bryant).
Rest well, dearest friend.
*In Mex-Amer. Communities: buddy, mate, friend, pal.