Michael Thomas Knight passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at St. Luke's Magic Valley on December 14, 2021, at the age of 75.
Michael was born on October 24, 1946, in Oceanside, California to George Knight and Annette Wright. Graduating high school in Hemett California in 1964.
In Michaels younger years, he was a Boy Scout and even received his Life Merit Badge. After high school, Michael joined the Army where he served as a medic during the Vietnam War. While in duty, he received a Purple Heart Medal. A Purple Heart Medal is presented to service members who have been wounded or killed because of enemy action while serving in the US military. This medal is a distinction of service members that have greatly sacrificed themselves or paid the ultimate price, while in the line of duty. This experience brought many trials to Michael’s life that he seldom talked about.
After the Army, Michael moved back home to California but not for too long. Soon after the Army, he moved to Nevada where he explored various job experiences. He was a casino dealer in Northern Nevada as well as Barton’s 93 in Jackpot, he became a taxi driver, car salesman, a pit boss at Cactus Pete’s and finally retiring from the sugar beet factory in Twin Falls.
It was in Jackpot, Nevada that Mike met the love of his life, Fay Smith. Michael and Fay married on July 15, 1986 in Elko, Nevada but he would soon follow Fay to Twin Falls, Idaho.
Michael claimed the outdoors to be his happy place. Whether it was camping, white water rafting, fishing for anything that would bite but more specifically bass fishing, or hunting for deer, Mike had a huge amount of admiration for all of Nature’s beauty. This was a passion that he shared with his entire family. Fay took up wilderness photography and this is when she understood why Mike had such a desire for the outdoors.
Mike’s most beloved place to visit was Island Park. Here he felt like he could get away from all of life’s problems. He took any chance he could get to make a trip up there.
Fay can remember a rafting trip that brought many laughs to the family. As they were going through a rapid, a photographer was on the other side waiting to capture the reaction on their faces. The rapid jostled them around the entire raft, knocking her into someone else’s lap and this was the moment the photographer had captured. Mike laughed and laughed over this experience but not as much as the time Fay had a wardrobe malfunction in the river and Mike couldn’t contain his laugh enough to help her. These were both memorable moments that Mike never let Fay live down.
Clinton finds himself remembering the first time Mike took him to Island Park. He was mesmerized by the beauty of everything that was surrounding him. The tall green trees, high mountains, and calmness in the air made truly a remarkable experience, that he is now able to share with his children.
Michael appreciated listening to music and really enjoyed music from the 50’s and 60’s. Willie Nelson, Bobby Darin, Jan and Dean, to name a few. Although Frank Sinatra is who he would talk about most. Mike’s mother was a personal waitress for Mr. Sinatra, which not many can say.
Michael is survived by his wife; Fay Knight, daughter; Brenda Sheilds Baze of California, 2 stepsons; Brandon and Clinton Smith both of Twin Falls, 3 brothers; Morgan “Marty” Knight of Twin Falls, who was a twin to Michael, Harold Martin of Montana, Howard Martin of Montana, 2 sisters; Nanette Dodds and Elizabeth, as well as 10 grandchildren.
Michael is preceded in death by both his parents, George Knight and Annette Wright.