James Orval Knight

James (Jim) Knight, 69 born March 11, 1949 in Burlington, KS to Alvesta Byancy Roth-Cook and Orval "Jack" Knight, passed away Sunday, November 11, 2018 in his home.

Jim grew up in Gridley and Yates Center KS. He served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. He was the former owner of Roto-Rooter and Knight's Drain Cleaning in Emporia, KS. Most of his career was spent working as an Apartment Maintenance Supervisor.

Jim is survived by his two daughters Krystee Pearson (Shawn Pearson) and Sandy Knight. He also has 4 grandchildren Chelsea (Matt) Vibert, Ethan Pearson, Tarah (Tyler) Isbell, Samantha (Hunter) Wing. Two Great-grandchildren Anabelle Lopez and Jaxton Wing. Three brothers Junior Cook, Shelby Cook and Arden Cook. He also has many nieces and nephews, lifelong friends he left behind in California and old friends in Kansas that were all very important to him. He is proceeded in death by his parents, his brother Robert (Tulsa Bob) Knight and grandson Adrian Lewis.

He spent the last 30 years in Southern California and had only moved back to Kansas 2 ½ years ago.

To know Jim was to know that he was just was who he was. If you saw him he probably had a cigarette in his hand. He loved women, beer, motorcycles and shell fish. He would tell you to never by cheap shit and was proud of his credit score. He loved to take care of the wild animals that lived around him, including a peacock that he befriended and referred to as "Mr. Peacock". He provided a home to many cats that he rescued. Three of them, Ashley, Princess and Ginger were still with him when he passed away.

Jim would have turned 70 on March 11. He wanted to be cremated and to have his ashes spread at Key West Cemetery near Lebo, KS. where his dad and brother are. He hated the cold and didn't want anyone to have to go out there in the winter. He asked to have us pick a nice spring day to go spread his ashes. We have decided to do this on Saturday, March 9th, two days before his birthday. More details will be provided as the date approaches.

Jim loved animals and was very proud of the work that his daughter Sandy had done in the creation of the Never Let Go Fund, to help families with children who are fighting cancer. If you would like to make a memorial contribution in his honor, please choose an animal rescue of your choice or the Never Let Go Fund. Checks for the Never Let Go can be mailed to Emporia Community Foundation 527 Commercial St Suite B Emporia, KS 66801 or online at https://www.emporiacf.org/make-donation.