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Donald Wayne Knight Sr., 82, a resident of Pine, passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, at Richard Murphy Hospice House in Hammond.

Don was a graduate of Varnado High School (where he played football) and the University of Southern Mississippi. He worked in sales throughout his career.

Don had an active life, enjoying hunting, camping, boating, bowling, dancing, woodworking, gardening, landscaping, music, road trips and watching wildlife. He loved being in the mountains, particularly at their North Carolina cabin that he independently painstakingly restored. He adored his family and shared his favorite activities with them, teaching one grandson to waterski and drive stick, challenging another to foot races, making sure his granddaughters got their turn on the ATVs, and encouraging all to get behind the wheel of the pontoon boat that he restored. He was a doting grandfather who welcomed meeting their friends, attending their events, cheering them from the sidelines, and representing at their schools’ Grandparents’ Days. He never met a stranger, and he regaled anyone within earshot with stories. The world will be less fun without him in it.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Lewell and Effie Knight.

In addition to his loving wife of 26 years, Patricia Williams Knight of Pine, he is survived by two daughters, Gina Knight (Malcolm) Schwarzenbach III of New Orleans, and Karen (George) Varnado of Bogalusa; one step-daughter, Heather (Zach) Davis of Covington; two sons, Donald Wayne Knight Jr. of Bogalusa and Justin (Maudie) Knight of Hammond; three granddaughters, Madeline, Sadie and Sarah; three grandsons, Mac, Wilson and Ian; two sisters, Sandra Honaker and Sharon Price, both of Bogalusa; one brother, Billy (Melanie) Knight of Franklinton; nieces and nephews; many cousins; and friends from every stage of his life.

Visitation was held Sunday, Jan. 30, at Brown McGehee Funeral Home in Bogalusa for family from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. and for friends from 10 a.m. until the funeral service at noon in the funeral home chapel, with the Rev. Tommy Varnado officiating. Interment followed at Crain’s Cemetery.

The Knight family would like to thank the staff at Legacy Hospice and the Richard Murphy Hospice House — please consider a memorial donation to this wonderful donation-dependent nonprofit.