Otis Irving Knight

Otis Irving Knight, age 93, of Stover, passed away Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at the Warsaw Health and Rehabilitation Center in Warsaw, where he had been a resident for the past few months.

He was born in Lebo, Kansas a son of Orville M. “Jack” and Nettie May Allen Knight.  On January 10, 1946, in McPherson, Kansas, Otis was united in marriage to Benita M. Kellum, who survives at their home.

Otis grew up in Kansas, working for Cessna Aircraft and Coleman, both located in Wichita.  He and Benita moved their family to central Missouri, where he raised cattle, hogs and poultry, along with working for a few years at GW Lumber in Stover.

He enjoyed refurbishing old cars and was especially proud of his 29’ Model A, which won numerous trophies in parades and car shows in the area.  He also loved to travel; taking trips with Benita and his family to most of the lower 48 states, along with Hawaii, Canada and Old Mexico.  He loved being with his family and he truly enjoyed spending time with not only his grandchildren and great grandchildren, but children in general.  He loved to see them smile and delight in the world around them.

In addition to his beloved wife Benita, Otis is survived by five children and their spouses, Larry E. and Linda Knight of Tipton; Beverly M. and Carl Tannehill of Warsaw; Janet R. and David Goodwin of Camdenton; Brenda J. and Dutch Schultz of Versailles and Michael A. and Jenny Knight of Stover;  one brother, Jim Knight of Emporia, Kansas; ten grandchildren, Mary, Jerry, Mark, David, Karen, Stephen, Eric, J.D., Brandi and Ashley; twenty great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, along with several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Otis was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Clifford, Vernon, Leonard and Robert Knight and two sisters, Anna Everhart and Lena Little.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 18, at the Stover First Baptist Church.  Interment will be in the Stover Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church on Monday.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Downs Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City.

.