Francis Raymond Knight

Born and raised in Fulton, NY, to the late Emma (Guile) and James Knight, he graduated from the University of New York at Canton. He served in the USAF during the Korean War from 1950-1953 at Sampson AFB, Geneva, NY, Kessler AFB, Biloxi, MS, and Turner AFB,

Albany, GA. He worked for TRW/NG Space Systems for 36 years as an industrial engineer.

He met the love of his life, Dorothy “Dottie” Jean Sheldon, on a blind date set up by his cousin Patricia in 1951 while stationed at Sampson AFB. They married on October 18, 1952, and were married for 59 years until her passing on October 21, 2011. They moved to

CA in 1956.

He and Dottie raised their seven children in Canoga Park, CA, and lived there for 32 years. Upon retiring in 1992, they moved to Bear Valley Springs, CA, where they lived for 15 years. They moved to Simi Valley, CA, in 2007 to be closer to family. He lived in their Simi Valley home until March 2023. In January 2025, he moved to Blessed Family Living, in-home Board & Care, and lived there until his passing. A huge thank you to Jennifer Hamilton and her caregivers, Mario, Tess & Violet, and Irma & Erica from Assisted Home Health Hospice, who loved and cared for our dad as if he were their own family.

He and Dottie loved to travel with their family & friends. Trips to Israel, Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, and Rome were just a few of their adventures together. Every summer, they took a family vacation with all seven children. In the summer of 1971, they

stopped in Lake Tahoe and fell in love with Tahoe’s beauty. This began a wonderful family tradition that they went there every summer thereafter. Dad was with us in July 2021, when

we celebrated 50 years of tradition. Several of his children and their families continue this tradition.

He loved the Lord, and he and Dottie were always involved with their church family and had a Prayer Group of friends that lasted decades. He enjoyed his time with his children and grandchildren and always loved the many family gatherings.

He is preceded in death by his wife Dottie, his son Jeffrey Mark Knight, his grandson Christopher Michael Bordeleau, his three brothers, James, Donald & Mark Knight.

His incredible legacy will forever be cherished in the lives of his children, Scott (Melody) Knight of Puyallup, WA, Shawn (Kathy Creager) Knight of Yelm, WA, and Rancho Cucamonga, respectively, Rebecca (David) Drui of Payson, AZ, Shelly (Michael) Perillard of

Mission Viejo, CA, Karen (Michael) Bordeleau of Thousand Oaks, CA and Kathy (Robert) Mastrocinque of Simi Valley, CA, along with fifteen grandchildren, twenty greatgrandchildren, sister-in-law, Rosalind (Mark) Knight of Fulton, NY and a host of devoted

nieces and nephews. He will be dearly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 16th, at 10:00 am at the Chapel of the Oaks at Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery with a graveside service immediately following.

22601 Lassen St., Chatsworth, CA 91311