of Bee Branch, AR
June 9, 1956 - February 6, 2015
James (Jimbo) McKnight, Jr. 58, of Bee Branch, Arkansas passed away Friday, February 6, 2015 at St. Vincent Mercy Hospital in Little Rock, AR. He was born June 9, 1956 in Gainesville, Florida to Joy (Smith) McKnight and the late Jamie McKnight, Sr.
He graduated from South Side High School and attended Central Baptist College and University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR. Jim was an accomplished athlete and played college basketball and professional baseball throughout his career. He was mentor to many young athletes and helped coach and train all around the state of Arkansas. Throughout his life and travels he made numerous close personal friends and knew or was known by people from all areas and walks of life. Jim was a unique character with a wonderful heart and lived life to the fullest on his own terms. He will be missed.
He is survived by his mother, Joy McKnight of Bee Branch, AR; three sisters, JoAnne Beaulieu of Fort Worth, TX; Jill Boeckmann of Bee Branch, AR; and Jacqueline Treat of Clinton, AR; two brothers, Jack McKnight of Greenbrier, AR; and Jeff McKnight of Bee Branch, AR; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, close friends and relatives that loved him dearly and will miss him.
There will be a Memorial Service honoring his life 2:00pm Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at Pleasant Valley General Baptist Church Bee Branch, Arkansas with Pastor Michael Roberson officiating.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home of Clinton, Arkansas. Online guest book: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com
wow I just caught all this .. how tragic and sad to hear about the passing of Jeff and Jimmy . I played 2 seasons of summer ball with the McKnight Brothers back in the day . All Great people . so very sorry to hear such terrible news . My best to the Families and Jack . Peace is with them and hope with you all
So sorry to hear of Jimbo's passing. He was a fine baseball player and fellow teammate of mine, back in the day. My sincere condolences to his sorrowing family!
Just found out about Jim's passing today. Played summer ball with him after college and in the 30+ league. His smile and wit will be with me the rest of my days. RIP my old friend.
Sorry for your great loss.
Rest in Peace Jimbo. Loved playing baseball with you back in the good old days. You pitched the last game I caught in my career. Great memories.
RIP Jimbo...
Praying for you.
Lisa, Cody & Jeff
My love goes out to his family.
There will always be a special place for him in my heart.
Oh my what a shock to hear Jim has passed on. He played basketball and baseball for my Dad, Said Thomas, at Central Baptist College. Dad had just started the baseball program and Jim helped get that program rolling. We became friends and thanks to him and David Evans, I had the most fun and laughs hanging out with them that I have ever had in my life! Have thought of him often through the years. My prayers for you Joy, and all the family.
A lot of good memories for a lot of people. Time and distance may separate us from our friends that we grew up with but in our hearts we feel now just as we did then. We loved Jim and we love y'all.
Joy , I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I think of you often when I go to WM and miss seeing you. I did not know Jim was sick. I had not seen him since working at doctors office and I remember he would come in to be seen at closing time and always got in with his kind and charming words. You and the rest of the family are in my prayers.
Dear ones, I am so very sad and heartbroken. There is so much to say, and there are no words to fill this hole in our hearts. We love Jimbo, and that will go on, and we will miss him, and will feel him in the wind and the warm sun on our faces. I am sorry I can't be with you today, I am in spirit and in prayer. May God comfort and bless you all.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith... Ephesians 2:8
My prayers to all the family. Jim was a good guy and we had a good time playing ball and hanging out in high school. My heart goes out to the family.
RIP JIM
So sorry to hear. All my prayers to all the family
Thoughts and prayers for the family
Joy and family my heart is very heavy with the news of Jim. He and I had some of the best times of our lives together. I know I didn't see him often but just knowing he was there was comforting. I will truly miss him. You are all in my prayers.
so so sad to hear about Jimbo----swing batter- batter swing----- wayne duran
Dear Joy and family,
We are sorry for your loss. May our good Lord Jesus be with you and welcome James with open arms.
Our thoughts and prayers to the McKnight family, especially to JoAnne, our sister in law, at the passing of her brother.
Adrian & Chris Beaulieu
I got a message today telling me of this. Saddened me beyond words. Jim and I went to college together and were in touch for a few years after. Then life took us in different directions and I lost touch with him. I have so many fond memories of him ....esp. when he would quote poetry to me...usually when he was trying to get a point across . Though I haven't seen him in years I will always have in my mind this handsome, witty, talented young man. And those good memories are what life is about. It is so strange that just last week I was thinking of him and googled to see if I could find where he was living. Strange, but there was a reason for me thinking of him I know now. I send my deepest sympathy to all of his family. XO
Joy and family
you are in our thoughts and prayers. won't get to attend the service, but will be praying for you.
McKnight Family, we were so saddeed to hear of Jimbo's death. Gary and I are praying for peace and comfort to surround all of you during this time in your lives.
I'm so sorry too hear of this. Jim was always a sweet man. I hope and pray for the comfort for all my family. God bless.
Yall r in my prayers!
Mr. Pavatt and I were so sad to hear of Jimbo's passing. He was one of a kind. Our prayers are with all of you.
Dear McKnight family,
Sorry to hear of Jim's passing away. We all have great memories of the college years and playing on the CBC basketball team with Jim. He never saw a shot he didn't like. He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.
God bless this family as they go through this time together.
Jackie, Sooo sorry to hear about Jim. Please tell your mom. Love you guys! Will be praying for your family.
Best baseball mind I ever met, best baseball player I ever played with...great guy, great friend, will be missed.
Praying for the family. Hadn't seen him in a while but enjoyed talking to him the last time I saw him. He will be missed and I will remember all the good times we had
Joy & Family
So sorry to hear about Jimbo. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
God Bless
So sorry Joy and family, We are thinking of you at this time.
So sorry. Loved talking to Jim. Praying for yall all.
Praying for God's Grace to bring peace to the family now and for always. I will miss Jimbo but his memories and memories of his family will always be in my heart. God Bless all of you
In my heart Jim, my good friend, lives on.
Joy and family, I am so very sorry to hear of JIm's passing. May God give you comfort as only He can during this troubling time.
My heart goes out to each of you in this time of grief. There are no words to express the pain of losing Jim, but Psalms 34:18 tells us, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit". Romans 14:8 says, "If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."
Joy, Jill, JoAnne, Jeff, Jack, Jackie and family, I pray that God will lift you up and and give you solace in the knowledge that Jim is no longer in any pain and is now truly at peace.
My love to you all,
V.
Joy and family, so sorry to hear of your loss. Wish we could be there. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love Gary and Fayerene
Thinking of the family.
Thinking of you all with the passing of Jimbo. He will be missed. I always enjoyed visiting and talking with him.
I dated Jim off and on for the last twenty five years. I loved him more than words can say.
He was such a great comfort to me through out
my life. This last year was very hard for me. I tried to me there for him through his illnesses.
I am praying for Joy, Jill, Jackie, and Jeff and Jack. I will never forget you. I will love you for the rest of my life.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time.
The McKnight Clan: We are so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. We have so many memories living by you in the Valley. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God hold you in his sweet loving arms through this time of sorrow. If we can do anything, you know all you have to do is ask. With Love,
Nell & Toni Johnson
Robert; Larry; & Mike Edwards
Sandi Hensley & Families
Psalm 34:18
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. (NLT)
Joy, JoAnne, Jill, Jack, Jeff, Jackie, and family,
The McCormac family shares your sorrow in the loss of Jimbo. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Joy you and the McKnight and Smith family are all in my thoughts and prayers.
God will hold you in his Loving Arms and help you get through this difficult time.
God bless you all