Pat Knight

Published 12:41 am Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Claude Kirkpatrick ‘Pat’ Knight Jr., 81, died August 4, 2012 at his home following a brief illness. He was predeceased by his parents Claude K. and Clara Ida Williams Knight and by his beloved former wife Carolyn Heinz Knight. He is survived by his brother, Joseph S. Knight (Anne) of Selma; 2 nieces: Kay Knight Boley (Ray) of Daphne and Vicki Knight Gordon (Don) of Spanish Fort; a nephew: Kirk Knight (Sarah) of Atlanta; by 7 great nieces and nephews and 6 great-great nieces and nephews.

Pat was loved and admired in the Selma community for many years as a sports and physical education instructor. He served as Physical Director and later as General Secretary of the Selma YMCA, where he is remembered for coaching basketball and teaching hundreds of children and adults to swim. He was also an instructor for a number of years at both George Wallace Community College and Marion Institute. Pat was involved in many community programs and was a tireless fundraiser for the United Way. He served for 13 consecutive years as a member of the NCAA Basketball Rules Committee. During the Korean War, he served in a U.S. Army Medical Ballalion. He was a graduate of Orrville High School and attended East Mississippi Junior College on an athletic scholarship. He later received a Bachelor’s degree in physical education and a Master’s degree in education from Auburn University.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 10th at First Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends at 10:15 in the Warren Room prior to the service.

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The family wishes to especially thank the staff of Cahaba Hospice and caregivers James and Cynthia Powell. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Selma YMCA, First Presbyterian Church, the Selma Public Library or another favorite charity.