Jay was born August 22, 1939 in Des Moines, Iowa to Fredrick Wayne Knight and Rosemary (Rose) Knight.
After graduating from North High School, Jay enlisted in the United States Navy. After his initial enlistment he returned to Des Moines, where he met his wife Karen and they were married at St. Theresa Catholic Church on May 27 1961.
He became a police officer with the Des Moines Police Department for 12 years until he was recalled to active duty as a recruiter. Jay was transferred to New Orleans where he became the Command Master Chief of the Naval Reserve Recruiting Command. He retired in 1986 and moved to Pensacola Florida. Jay was active in the Warrington Elks Lodge, serving as Lodge Treasurer, Public Relation, District Auditor, Newsletter Editor and Board Member of Veterans Hospital.
Jay was a devout Catholic and was a member of St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church, for more than 20 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents Wayne and Rosemary, Brothers David, Peter and Sister Mary Kay.
Jay is survived by his soul mate and beloved wife of 60 years Karen, the loves of his life daughters Lisa Hockenberry (Joe) and Lucinda DeGarmo, five Grandchildren, Justin Kramer (Miriam), Nikki Kramer, Heather Sanchez (Robert), Brandon Calderon (Alexandria) Ryan Calderon and Great-Grandson Nicholas Kramer.
Memorial Service will be at Barrancas National Cemetery Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 1:00pm. Procession to the cemetery will meet at Oak Lawn Funeral Home 619 N. New Warrington Rd. at 12:00pm.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18