Roy Clayton Knight

Roy was born on July 4th 1937 in Fort Worth Texas, a fitting day for his "never met a stranger” personality. His CB handle was the “Crowley Firecracker”. Roy graduated from Trimble Tech High school in 1955 and upon graduation he enlisted in the Marine Corp. July 3rd of 1956 he married his wife of 64 years Toni Mae Hunter who he first met in a high school Math class when he offered his seat to her. They moved to Camp Pendelton in Oceanside, California where he served 4 years and attained the rank of Sergeant. In 1957 their first child Amanda Leigh Knight was born and in 1959 they welcomed their second child Robert Clayton Knight. They returned to Fort Worth in 1959 where Roy took a job at his father’s gas station. In 1960 he became a firefighter for the Fort Worth Fire Department. In 1966 he moved his family to Crowley. In the early years of their marriage they enjoyed taking their family on camping trips to Texas state parks. Roy was actively involved in coaching his son’s little league baseball teams. On weekends you would often find them socializing with a group of friends known as the “supper club”. In 1968, Roy entered Tarrant County Junior College in it’s inaugural year. In 1972 Roy received his Associates Degree in Fire Protection. He would later return to Tarrant County Junior College as an instructor with the Fire Training program.

Roy worked for the Fort Worth Fire Department for 31 years where he attained the rank of Captain. After a few years with the department he earned the rank of Engineer and began driving the fire truck. In the late 70’s he was named director of Fire Safety Education. The last 11 years of his career he served as Public Information Officer with the Fort Worth Fire Department. He was instrumental in developing the Learn Not to Burn (Stop, Drop and Roll) curriculum provided to the Fort Worth ISD. He also helped to design and create the Fire Safety Trailer which toured local schools. Roy was a member of the National Fire Protection Education Association, serving on the executive board for seven years. He was Vice Chairman for two years and Chairman his last year. He was also co-founder of the Fire Education and Prevention Foundation of Fort Worth in 1981. Roy retired from the Fort Worth Fire Department in 1990. He then started his new career as Public Education Coordinator for the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office where he brought a similar curriculum and trailer to Oregon’s Fire Safety Program. Roy and Toni returned to Fort Worth in 1991 to begin his final retirement. Shortly after returning to Texas, Roy and Toni bought an 18 acre farm located in Hico where they raised sheep. A few years later they sold the farm and decided to travel nearly full time in an RV with a small place to call home in Dublin. In these years they made numerous RV’ing friends across the country. They traveled widely and had many adventures throughout the years. In 2007, they decided it was time to be closer to family and moved back home to Fort Worth. In 2015 Roy and Toni settled in St. Frances Village. In his later years Roy would spend much of his time as an active member of Arborlawn United Methodist church, often driving the bus for the Merry Maker’s group outings. He would regularly meet with his Sunday school men's group for breakfast. He also volunteered many hours of his time at Harris Southwest Hospital as the ‘pop-corn guy’. Roy was also an active member of the St. Frances Village community, most recently volunteering in their resale shop. Roy was especially fond of the holidays and almost never missed a chance to spend this time with family and friends. He loved attending every game and every performance of each and every child, grandchild and great-grandchild. He took such joy in the accomplishments of each and every family member. Roy was known and loved by many, many people throughout the years and will be sorely missed.

Preceded in death by his parents Artie “Dick” and Nina Knight.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years Toni Mae Hunter, sister Sandra Grimland and husband Gene, brother Cecil Knight and wife Paddy, children Amanda Leigh Knight, Robert Clayton Knight and wife Connie, grandchildren Misti Kai Zablosky and wife April, Kelli D’Ann Trice and husband David, David Paul Clayton Knight and fiancé Brittany, great-grandchildren Tryniti Layne Muncy, Miles Atlas Trice and Reed Cory Clayton Zablosky, step-grandchildren Anderson Dark and wife Jessica, Katie Gordon and husband Bryan, step-great-grandchildren Fitz Dark, Georgia Dark, Cooper Gordon and by many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Funeral arrangements will be held at 10am on Wednesday July 1st at Laurel Land Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 6-8pm on Tuesday June 30th at Laurel Land Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Worth Firefighters Museum at P.O. Box 10481 Fort Worth, TX 76114 .