Harry Paul McKnight

Harry P. McKnight, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, surrounded by family. Services will begin on Saturday morning, February 26, 2022, with the Rosary at 10:30 followed by a visitation from 10:45 to 12:00. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 12:00. All services will be at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 900 NE Shady Lane Dr., Kansas City, MO 64118. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Kansas City, North. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the St. Charles Borromeo Capital Campaign in Harry’s memory.

Harry was born on January 23, 1932, along with his two triplet brothers Howard and Harold, on the family farm in Kansas City near the former General Motors Leeds assembly plant, to parents Harry and Bertha (Diebold) McKnight. In 1932, triplet births were very rare and big community news. The birth was so newsworthy, The Kansas City Star followed and profiled ‘the boys’ for several years with articles and photos. The boys were inseparable with countless adventures and often, mischief followed them. Harry frequently spoke of his childhood on the farm, especially with his two brothers.

Harry graduated from Central High School in 1950. He and brother Howard enlisted in the United States Navy and served together on the destroyer USS Hazelwood, while brother Harold enlisted in the United States Marine Corp; all proudly served their country during the Korean War.

After military discharge, Harry attended and graduated from Central Technical Institute with an Associate’s degree. Harry was employed by Wilcox Electric initially as a technician and later moved into management which allowed him to travel extensively internationally. He retired in 1996, enthusiastic about a new chapter in life after his nearly 40-year career. In the mid-1950s, he attended many singles dances at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Redemptorist Parish and ultimately met Mary Catherine Crowell. In 1958, the two were married at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish. Harry and Mary Catherine lived in Kansas City North and were parishioners of St. Charles Borromeo for over 62 years.

Harry was an avid Royals, Chiefs and Kansas basketball fan. Throughout his lifetime, he attended dozens and dozens of his children’s and grandchildren’s youth sporting events and dance recitals. In the late 1970s, Harry and Mary Catherine discovered a love for square dancing through their good friends Kenny and Marie Zeller with the Ramblers Square Dance Club and do-si-doed into their late 70s. After retirement, Harry and Mary Catherine traveled often throughout the United States and aboard several cruises. Harry had a knack for home repair and projects and spent thousands of hours at his own residence and his children’s homes offering counsel, assistance and skill. He could fix anything! He was a loving, nurturing and patient father and a devoted husband to Mary Catherine, especially the past few years when she needed additional care.

Preceding him in death were his parents, sisters and brothers-in-law Ann and Garland Gulick, Kathleen and Hank Bockes; Shirley and Don Kiefer; brother Harold McKnight; brother and sister-in-law Howard and Mary McKnight; and brother-in-law Charles J. Crowell, Jr. Harry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Catherine; son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Frances McKnight; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Glen Ramsey; daughter Lorie Grider; grandchildren Matt and Sara McKnight; Kyle and Katelyn Ramsey; Brandon, Hayden and Blake Grider; sister-in-law Rita Crowell; and many nieces and nephews. Harry was the family patriarch and it will be difficult to carry his moral compass and strong Christian faith. We will forever and immensely miss our husband, dad, father-in-law and grandpa. We take comfort in knowing that he is in the loving arms of our Lord.

We thank the Memory Care staff at Wexford Place for their kind support and care during the last several months. We also thank the Ascend Health staff for their recent compassionate support and hospice care. Finally, the family wishes to thank St. Charles Borromeo’s Deacon, Dr. Vic Quiason, for his weekly visits, spiritual guidance, prayers and friendship.