Alex Duncan Knight died unexpectedly in Okinawa, Japan on February 12, 2023. He was 20 years old. His family is deeply saddened and shocked by his sudden death. Alex was born in Houston, Texas on March 11, 2002. He was the second son of Howard and Tracy Knight and a big brother, and touched the lives of his extended family and friends.
Alex was inquisitive. A life-long questioner, seeker and explorer, he enjoyed long conversations about wide-ranging topics and asked deep, meaningful questions. He was involved in equity and justice and wanted to make the world a better place. Children and animals loved him, and he was generous with all he had.
A proud CODA, Child of Deaf Adults, Alex thrived in the deaf community. With his siblings he attended KODAWest Camp in Southern California for eight summers. As a boy, Alex often spent time with his brothers and sister, going to his godparent’s house for treats, reading Percy Jackson and Harry Potter novels and climbing trees. In his travels, he carried his Webkinz lion everywhere.
Alex was a modest and quirky young man. He was so excited to buy an old beat-up car, one that his parents couldn’t stand having on their driveway and swore to sell it as soon as Alex moved away. When a homeless man honestly asked him for a few dollars for beers at a bus station, Alex bought two beers and chatted with the man for about two hours. Alex was also intense, stubborn, full of life, and held deep aspirations - rising to the toughest physical and mental challenges.
Joining the U.S. Marine Corps in 2020, Alex graduated with Platoon 2114 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot. Corporal Knight achieved his dream of becoming a United States Force Reconnaissance Marine, a title that few hold. Alex demonstrated perseverance through adversity in the challenges he overcame.
Alex completed the Reconnaissance Training and Assessment Program (RTAP) at Camp Pendleton in California, despite a twice-recurring stress fracture in his foot. Thereafter, he attended Basic Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, then Marine Combatant Diver School in Panama City, Florida, and Multi-Mission Parachute Course in Coolidge, Arizona. Along the way he received several certificates of recognition and developed a reputation as an excellent swimmer. After two years of advanced training, Alex was selected to be stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He arrived at Camp Schwab in October 2022 where he joined the 3d Reconnaissance Battalion.
Back home, Alex attended Lamar High School in Houston. He had a strong instinct to help others and was encouraging in team efforts. During this time, he was a swimmer at the Harris County Aquatics Program, which “teaches discipline, leadership and teamwork skills for youth through the sport of swimming.” For two years, Alex attended Bloomsburg High School in Pennsylvania where his mother taught at Bloomsburg University. While there he joined the wrestling team. He earned his lifeguard certification and worked at Braeburn Country Club in the summers.
Before that, Alex graduated from Meyerland Performing & Visual Arts Middle School and played on the football team. He developed a keen interest in reading and writing at Mark Twain Elementary School, where he won an award for creative writing about turning into a tiger. He went to Westbury Methodist Day School for preschool.
Alex was baptized and confirmed at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church and was involved in the youth group. He went to summer camp at Camp Allen and Pine Cove, and participated in the church mission trips to the Dominican Republic and Belize.
Alex is survived by his parents, Howard and Tracy Knight, by his older brother Ethan and younger siblings Megan and John Dare (JD). Alex was beloved by his grandparents, aunts, uncles and godparents and shared great memories with his 15 cousins. Alex was preceded in death by his grandfather Papa Arlen P. Rouly (U.S. Air Force, retired), his cousin Elijah James Knight (2004 - 2018), and his furry friend Mambo who passed away in 2022.
The funeral is scheduled for March 4, 2023 at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard, Houston, TX 77019, at 11 a.m.
Livestream link: https://sjd.org/knight
While flowers are welcome, the family asks those who wish to express sympathy through a memorial contribution in Alex's honor to send to KODAWest Camp where Kids of Deaf Adults explore their cultural identity through leadership and team building activities. Please visit https://www.kodawest.org/programs or if you prefer to donate by check, send to KODAWest, 3727 W. Magnolia Boulevard, #273, Burbank, CA 91505.
The immediate family will attend the Marine Corps memorial service in Okinawa, Japan soon after.
Semper Fidelis
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.earthmanbellaire.com for the Knight family.
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