James Calton 'Tex' Mcknight

JAMES CALTON TEX McKNIGHT 79 of Wildorado died Tuesday October 15, 2013 at his home. Services will be at 2:00 PM Thursday, October 17, 2013 at Palo Duro Baptist Church with Ron Muller, pastor officiating, along with Case Hubbart assisting. Interment will be at Palo Duro Widorado Cemetery. Arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home Osage Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St. Amarillo, Texas. Tex was born November 13, 1933 in Dickens County, Texas. The fifth child of Howard Franklin McKnight and Juddie Irene McCarty McKnight. He spent his childhood in Dickens, Texas and attended Dickens Public School. As a child Tex accepted Jesus as his personal Savior and has been a member of a Baptist church all his life. He didnt talk much about his faith, but he lived it every day. He was a member of Palo Duro Baptist Church of Wildorado. Tex and Eva Alice Talbott were married January 21, 1951, in Dickens, Texas. He was a member of the National Guard in Snyder until loss of his job forced a move and he was given an Honorable Discharge. He also served the Deaf Smith County Sheriff Department as a Reserve Deputy. Tex & Eva are Lifetime Members of the Panhandle Bluegrass & Olde-Tyme Music Association where he has held numerous offices. He played his upright bass in several bluegrass bands. The first being The Hidetown Sheriffs Posse then The Nashville Rejects, Now & Then and Now & Again After 30 years of employment with Deaf Smith County, Tex retired as road foreman in Precinct 4. He enjoyed wood working, camping and fishing at Possum Kingdom Lake, and traveling to and playing at bluegrass festivals. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, two sisters, a daughter-in-law, Marian McKnight, and a grandson, Cris Wheeler both of Amarillo. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Eva, a sister, Juddie Holly and husband Derryl of Dickens, Texas. Sons Bill McKnight and wife Kay and Joe McKnight all of Amarillo and Jack McKnight & wife Sandra of Cherokee, Oklahoma. Daughters Kathy McDonald and husband Jim of Bushland and Linda Hubbart and husband Tim of Amarillo. Also a very special friend Lynette Robinson of Amarillo, 14 grandchildren and their spouses, 27 great grandchildren (counting the 2 on their way into this world) and numerous nieces and nephews. The family thanks Texas Oncology and Hospice of the Southwest for their great care these last months.