Carl Knight

Carl Knight, 84, of Paducah, KY, passed away at 11:48 pm Monday, May 18, 2015 at Lourdes Hospital. He retired after 35 years of service as a Chemical Operator with Pennwalt Corporation in Calvert City. After retiring, Carl embraced a second career as a Christian minister, and a pastor to the sick and needy. His successful ministry involved the co-founding of two churches. One congregation grew to more than 800 members. He was active in local church communities throughout his life, including recent years with Lone Oak Methodist Church.

Carl was born October 4, 1930 in Detroit, MI to Jesse and Mary Knight. This was early in the Great Depression. While an infant in Detroit, he required emergency surgery to save his life. After doing everything they could do, surgeons told Carl's mother to go and pray, which she did. The following morning his mother returned to find that Carl had miraculously recovered.

Carl was a successful athlete at Paducah Tilghman High School where he excelled at football. He had a near perfect win record as a "south-paw" golden gloves boxer, but quit because he did not like to hit people.
He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, and afterward in the Kentucky National Guard. In 1961 his Paducah based Guard unit was activated as part of a regular Army command at Fort Stewart, Georgia. During this period, Carl advanced to the rank of sergeant, and he received commendations for exceptional service as a lead cook for the tank battalion.

Carl travelled to all 50 states, and to many countries throughout the world (usually as a missionary). He was an extremely positive person, and was known for his kindness and warm smile. He enjoyed standing on his head, jumping rope, and giving thousands of free back rubs to friends and family.

He is survived by his wife, Evon Cunningham of Paducah, KY; his daughters, Carla Vinson and husband Curtis, of Poughkeepsie, NY and Sherri Boyer and husband Edward, of Oklahoma City, OK; his son, Paul Knight and wife Kimberly, of Portland, OR; seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marie Young Knight, and his second wife, Sue Staley Knight; his sisters, Christine Knight Walker and Ruby Knight Tucker; his brothers, Herman, Lonnie and Victor Knight.

A funeral service is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2015 at 3:30 pm at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah. Rev. David Cassidy and Rev. Steve Cavitt will officiate. Entombment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.

A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 pm Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to: Feed The Children, PO Box 36, Oklahoma City, OK 73101-0036.

You may leave a message of condolence, light a candle of remembrance or share a song tribute with the family atwww.milnerandorr.com.