Ray Knight

1929 - 2014

RAY KNIGHT A Celebration of Life is planned for Rayford Delmar Knight, 85, who went home to be with the Lord on March 21, 2014, after a brief illness. The services will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church, comer of Lindsay and Sumner in Lake Elsinore. Ray was the youngest son born to Sarah and Thomas Jefferson Knight on Jan. 22, 1929 in Ringling, Ok. He had 10 brothers and sisters and the family lived in Oklahoma where he attended high school at Healdton High. The family moved to California and Ray graduated from Long Beach High School then joined the Marine Corps and proudly served during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Chosen Few, and earned several commendations for service to his country. After leaving the service, he graduated from Santa Ana Junior college and married Lois Jean Provenzano in 1951. The couple made their home in Anaheim, Orange County where Ray was a fireman and later a fire captain of several stations. During his years as a fire captain he was also the recipient of several citations and awards and commendations for meritorious service. The couple's first child, Tommy, died in 1952, three days after birth. They decided to adopt and chose daughter Sandy in 1953 and were given a second daughter, Jeannine, born in 1954. In 1987 the Knights moved with their children to Lake Elsinore. Immediately both Ray and Lois became involved in community clubs, organizations, and members of the First Lutheran congregation where Ray served both as a President of the congregation and a church elder for many years. Ray was named to Lake Elsinore's Safety Commission and also worked with the Planning Commission. He was one of the founders of the Storm Baseball Booster club, served many youth sports groups and school teams in football, basketball, and baseball. He also was a merit badge counselor for the Orange County BSA. At Temescal Canyon High School both he and Lois were named honorary grandparents for the Titan basketball teams for both girls and boys and for the Titan football team during the 1990s. Ray's second wife Gaylon was also named an honorary grandparent for school teams as well. Ray was involved in a leadership capacity in several service clubs and local organizations. His home was always distinguished in that a flag was always flying denoting his love of country and devotion to service. After the death of his beloved Lois, Ray remarried a longtime school friend from Oklahoma, Gaylon Frances Randolph in July, 2010. Ray was predeceased by his parents, 10 older siblings, first wife, Lois, son Tommy and grandson, Raymond Gerock. Survivors include his wife Gaylon of the Lake Elsinore home; daughter Sandy Gerock (Clarence) of Lake Elsinore; daughter Jeannine Martineau (Bill) of Lake Elsinore; granddaughter Michelle Gerock; grandsons Eric and Jeff Martineau; and great granddaughter Roni Martineau, several nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. A private burial service will be held later at Elsinore Valley Cemetery. Evans Brown Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.