Published January 21, 2007
Rev. Knight Dies
After Short Illness
Rev.
James Douglas Knight, pastor of Saint Wenceslaus Church in Prague
and Saint Michael Church in Meeker, died Jan. 12 in Norman after
a brief illness.
Father Knight was born March 7, 1940, in San Antonio, Texas, to Joseph D. and Rachel Augusta (Hollingsworth) Knight. He graduated from high school in Denison, Texas.
In June 1961, he married Dolores Elizabeth Knight in Corpus Christi, Texas. Father Knight later attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he received a bachelor of science in 1975. In 1978, he received a master of science from the University of Arkansas.
Father Knight served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years before retiring on Nov. 1, 1979, as a lieutenant commander.
In 1989, Father Knight received a bachelor of arts degree from Kansas Newman College and on Nov. 9, 1990, Father Knight was ordained to the Permanent Deaconate.
After his wife died, Father Knight attended Blessed John XXIII National Seminary and was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City on May 25, 2001, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Oklahoma City.
Father Knight served until 2002 as the administrator of Saint Peter Church in Woodward, Saint Frances Church in Beaver, Saint Joseph Church in Buffalo, Sacred Heart Church in Mooreland and Holy Name Church in Shattuck.
From June 2002 until last year, he served as pastor of Saint Peter Church in Woodward, Saint Frances Cabrini Church in Beaver; Saint Joseph Church in Buffalo Sacred Heart Church in Mooreland and Holy Name Church in Shattuck. He also served as the administrator of Sacred Heart Church in Alva, Saint Cornelius Church in Cherokee and Our Mother of Mercy Church in Waynoka during this period. He became pastor of Saint Wenceslaus Church and Saint Michael Church in June.
Father Knight was chaplain for Knights of Columbus Council 2974 and Mother Teresa Assembly 2572 in Woodward; served as vicar of Region VI and was the president of the Board of Directors of the Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma.
Father Knight was preceded in death by his parents, wife and son, Daniel Terrance Knight.
He is survived by sons, Roger C. Knight of Noble and Peter D. Knight and wife, Rhonda of Norman; daughter Georgia D. Knight of Norman; brothers, William R. Knight and wife Jane of Frisco, Texas, and Michael Graham Knight and wife Valerie of Amarillo, Texas; grandchildren Joseph D. Knight and Cassandra Knight of Noble, Daniel J., Hannah N. and Chloe E Knight of Norman; and nephews, Cristopher Knight and wife Kimberly of West Hills, Calif., Michael Graham Knight, Jr. and wife Jennifer of Commerce, Texas, Kevin Knight and wife Sarah of Spring, Texas, and Brian Knight and wife Donna of Canyon, Texas; and nieces Sunnye Childers and husband Ryan of Carrollton, Texas, and Jennise Ann Knight of Rock Hill, S.C.
A prayer vigil was held at Jan. 15 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Jan. 16 at Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Norman with interment at Saint Joseph Cemetery in Norman. Services were under the direction of Havenbrook Funeral Home of Norman.