Harold Loyd Knight, 80, of Pavillion, WY, passed away Monday, May 11, 2020, at the Wyoming Medical Center Hospital in Casper, WY due to complications from heart bypass surgery. He was born February 26th, 1940 in Bengal, OK to George W. Knight and Bessie V. (Harrison) Knight. He attended school in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and then finished with his GED. Harold then served in the Marines from March 1960 to April 1964 serving in multiple locations both stateside and in the Vietnam region…SEMPER FI!!! Upon discharge, he married Shirley K Brown in June 1964 in Clovis NM. Harold began work at a grocery store in Clovis NM and after a couple of trips to Wyoming and back they finally settled in Riverton where he worked at Mr. D’s grocery store as a produce manager. They then transferred to Green River to work at another Mr. D’s and then Harold decided to move to a sales career with Slusser Wholesale in Casper. Harold found new opportunities in Thermopolis as manager of Consumer Thriftway grocery store. However, during his time as a salesman at Slusser Harold met Eldon Jones who owned the Basketeria in Pavillion. Eldon strongly encouraged Harold and his family to buy the store as “Jonesy” was very impressed with Harold’s work ethic and after multiple persuasions, the family agreed and purchased the store in March of 1977 and ran it until they sold it in December 1990. During his entire time living in Pavillion Harold served proudly on the P’Ville town council, Fire Department, and was an EMT as well.
After the sale of the store, he began working for Midvale Irrigation as a ditch rider. In March of 2008, he retired from “Real work” and began working part-time at Weed and Pest and also with very many dear farmer friends from over the years.
Harold is survived by his wife Shirley, daughter Kim Jennings and her pardner Mitch Carlson of Riverton, son Tab and wife Belinda (Sherwood) of Poquoson Virginia and three grandchildren Marissa, Paige, and Levi. He is also survived by many dear nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers (James who died at birth, Bill of Choctaw OK, Dean of Lubbock TX, and Ray of Clovis NM), and sister Pauline Hyatt of Riverton. As well as niece Paula Knight of Casper and nephew Scott Hyatt of California.
Harold enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, being with his grandchildren, and good times with friends and family. Harold also loved western movies and books and was probably the biggest Sooner fan…go OU!!
On May 11, 2020, Harold met his mother for the first time as she passed away three days after his birth in 1940.
Harold has been cremated and services will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Wyoming Medical Center Masterson House, PAWS, or the Wyoming Food Bank.