George C. Knight

George Clarence Knight, 90, of Rupert, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 27, 2012, following a long illness. Just the evening before, each of his four children were able to visit with him for a brief time. What a precious memory! Born to Charles William and Mary Helbertina Jensen Knight on Oct. 31, 1921, in Driggs, Idaho, he was the 12th of 13 children. George attended school in Driggs until his family moved to the Rupert area in 1936, when he was 15 years old.

He went on to graduate from Rupert High School, where he met a cute little redhead named Julia Cole. They married Aug. 30, 1940, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Four children blessed this union.

George was a hard worker. Throughout his life, he was a farmer, worked for the Amalgamated Sugar Co., and in 1955 started working as a ditchrider for the Minidoka Irrigation District. He went on to become watermaster and retired from there in 1983. He continued working for them in the summer, spraying weeds, and worked for Amalgamated Sugar in the fall.

George enjoyed fishing, gardening and traveling. He will long be remembered for his fabulous garden. He gave away more produce than most of us ever grew! He kept his family and neighbors in fresh vegetables all summer long, as well as the Senior Center in Rupert. Later in life, he became an avid reader. More than anything, he loved to go for rides in the car with anyone who would take him! He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was a home teacher for several years.

George was preceded in death by his sweetheart, Julia; his parents; four brothers; seven sisters; and a granddaughter, Vanice Marie Judy.

Survivors include one sister, 98-year-old Mabel Price of Burley; his children, Kenneth (Vicky) Knight of Connor Creek, Verl (Norma) Knight of Rupert, Sharel (Steve) Judy of Idaho Falls and Michael (Patty) Knight of Rupert; 14 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Minidoka Home Health and Hospice, Debbie Fetzer for her tireless patience caring for Dad; Valley Vista Care Center, where he lived for 81/2 months; Minidoka Memorial Hospital; Countryside Care and Rehabilitation; and the nurses, CNAs and everyone else who cared for George with love and kindness. Dr. and Mrs. Pates were very special to him.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 2, at the Rupert LDS 1st Ward church (the former Tabernacle), 806 G St., with Bishop Clinton R. Crane officiating. Burial will be in Rupert Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E.16th St. in Burley, and from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church.