Donald Richard Knight

Donald Richard Knight, Sr., born July 12, 1936 on Sunny Brook Ranch, Willits, California, died Sunday, February 14, 2016. Don, the elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Cornelius Knight, grew up in Dallas, Texas, attended Highland Park High School, and graduated from Greenhill High School, where he was actively involved in the private school’s sports. He graduated from the University of Texas. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega social fraternity and he served in the United States Air Force.

Don began his 50-year pipe industry career at Tex-Tube in Houston, opened the American Steel Pipe division of American Cast Iron Pipe in Dallas and was later promoted to Assistant Sales Manager for American in Birmingham in 1972. After retirement in 1997, he continued as a consultant with Southland Pipe and Supply for 12 years.

Don was one of the first members of Riverchase Country Club where he served on the board and was a Riverchase Kiwanis Club member. He was active in the Southern Gas Association and served as chairman in 1990-91.

Don was an avid golfer and attained seven holes in one during his lifetime. He, also, loved hunting, fishing and snow skiing. His prize possession was a 1929 Willys-Knight car which he restored. His grandfather, Charles Yale Knight, invented the revolutionary sleeve-valve engine for the Knight engine cars which were manufactured in Europe and the U.S. A cut-away engine is currently on display at The Smithsonian.

He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Lena Smith Knight; his two sons: William Lawrence Knight (Stacey) of Austin,Texas and Donald Richard Knight, Jr. (Sue Ellen) of Houston, Texas; five grandchildren; and a brother Edward Seley Knight (Janet) of Houston, Texas.

The family will receive friends at Independent Presbyterian Church, where he was a member on Saturday, February 20, 2016 from 9:30a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with the memorial Service following at 11:00 a.m. A graveside service will be held at a later date in Waco, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial gifts in memory of Don Knight be made to UAB for Alzheimer's Disease Center, SC 360B, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0017, attn: Kate Tully.