J.C. Knight July 27, 1933 - August 21, 2015 J.C.Knight Lenoir Mr. Jonathan Crates Knight J.C., age 82, passed away on Friday, August 21, 2015 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. J.C. was born in Caldwell County on July 27, 1933 to the late George H. Knight and Bertie Arney Knight. He was married to Marceline Oliver Knight for 62 years. In addition to his parents, J.C. was preceded in death by his stepmother, Pearl Poarch Knight, and sisters Georgie Shaver, Catherine Phillips and Willa Mae Nichols. Along with his wife, Marceline, his daughters, Kathy Knight Bickett and husband Garry of Charlotte and Tammy Knight Lovins and husband Gregory of Lenoir, sister Irene Bush of Hudson survive J.C.. He also leaves numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren who all loved their Paw Paw dearly. J.C. was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in Korea in 1951 and 1952 after which he began a career in the fire prevention industry. This took him to short stays in Charlotte, Asheville and High Point before returning to Lenoir where he founded K & S Sprinkler in 1970. He was active in the Carolinas Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association and has trained and mentored many fire sprinkler professionals over the course of his career. J.C. was passionate about his family, friends and farm. He raised Tennessee Walking Horses, which he loved as family, especially his cherished Lonesome Coin who he raised by bottle from birth and enjoyed showing at horse shows throughout the southeast. J.C. enjoyed spending time with friends especially those at Cedar Rock Country Club where he enjoyed the fellowship of a good round of golf or game of cards. He also loved NASCAR and was one of the oldest living season ticket holders at Charlotte Motor Speedway. A celebration of Mr. Knights life will be held at College Avenue Baptist Church, where he was a member, on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at 1 p.m. with Pastor Chuck Brawley officiating. Burial will immediately follow the service at Blue Ridge Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 11:30 am until 1 pm prior to the service. The family welcomes flowers and respectfully requests that other memorials be sent to College Avenue Baptist Church, 1201 College Avenue SW, Lenoir, NC 28645. Online condolences may be sent to the Knight family at www.evansfuneralserive.com.