I remember when me and poppy went to the horse racing, and a little bit before the horse race we went to the mall and bought me some cute clothes and cute stuff. at the horse race he told me that if i bet on the right horse he’d give me money, i didn’t get the right horse…but i still got some money 😉. Loved him very very very much. And he used to buy the BEST cookies. 

I had the honor of working alongside Kevin for 36 years.   Recognizing Kevin’s potential, I promoted him to Branch Manager in Odessa where he ran what has become our strongest branch.   Eventually he became Manager of the DFW branch which is today experiencing rapid growth.   His expert knowledge of products was his hallmark as recognized by three generations of my family. The entire company depended on him for his expertise.  I always told my sons that Kevin knew more about Thermal’s products than any of us may ever learn in our lifetime.  Kevin, however, was more than an employee.  He was a friend with years of fond memories between us.  Wally (my father-in-law and Thermal Scientific founder), Kevin and I would attend many Friday Night Lights events together at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa as well as travel to football games all over Texas.  I can still recall the glow of pride in Kevin’s face when the three of us watched a young Kyle (Kevin’s son) play football.  I have so many fond memories of Kevin through the decades that included trips to trade shows, conferences and Christmas parties in Odessa during Thermal’s “rowdy” years.  Thermal Scientific lost its greatest wealth of knowledge, I lost a dear colleague and old friend, and the world has lost a good man.     

Our family is so sad that Kevin is no longer with us.  In the late 70s, my Dad, Wally Wilhelm, hired 18-year-old Kevin for the position of “Warehouse Person” for Thermal Scientific in Odessa.  My Dad had a hard time remembering names so he called most people “Prof.”  From the beginning, however, he always called Kevin “Kelvin”, relating it to a scientific measurement of temperature.  For a time Dad also thought Kevin’s last name was McKnight.  A story both men used to laugh about was the time that they were separated in a supermarket.  Dad, not known as a patient man, had the store page Kevin over the loudspeaker several times.  “‘Kelvin McKnight,’ please meet your party at the register.”  Eventually the two reunited and when a frustrated Wally asked Kevin why he didn't come to the register after the announcements, Keven said, “I never heard my name.”  

Dad and “Kelvin” had a good relationship and Kevin’s respect for him was unquestionable.  In fact, he made it a point to express his admiration for Dad to my sons when they took over the business.  My sons grew up knowing who Kevin was and both knew that the feeling was mutual.   Kevin has supported Thermal Scientific through three generations of owners, including Dad, my husband (DW) and most recently Dad’s grandsons Coby and Chad.  His tenure with the company is the longest in the company's history.  He truly is a Thermal Scientific legend.  

I, personally, have many good memories of him throughout the years. I enjoyed our visits in his office.  It was clear how proud he was of his children and how much he loved Cindy.  Kevin had a gentleness and a shyness about him that was revealed in his smile and his soft-spoken words.  Rest in peace our friend and beloved member of our Thermal Scientific family. Our deepest and most sincere sympathies go to Cindy and the family.

OBITUARY

Kevin Lee Knight

26 July, 1959 – 5 December, 2021

Moore Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

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