Calvin Ellis Knight, 71, of Largo, FL, passed away on Friday, May 30, 2014, at the Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater. He was a Florida native being born in Wauchula, FL, and living here most of his life.
Calvin joined the Air Force in 1962, where it forever changed his life. He went into the Air Force as Private, and exited an Airman 1st Class. He met his wife, Carolyn while stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Ok. Upon his discharge, they drove to Florida where they lived with his mom in Sarasota for a few short months.
Calvin Knight and his wife, Carolyn moved to Pinellas County in 1966, where-after, he shortly began his career at GTE. He was sent to Pole Climbing School and worked as a pole climber when that abruptly was changed after he was sent home for sliding down the pole, tearing his clothes which was completely against the rules. He thought he had been fired, but was ordered to come back and then was placed inside as an equipment installer. Calvin loved his job at GTE and that was evident in the number of promotions and awards he received, from Supervisor all the way to Quality Control Administrator when he retired in 1991.
Calvin and his wife, adopted a baby girl, Rhonda in 1972, and when you would hear him tell the story, he would always get emotional. He was such a proud father and always said she was a gift from God and that is why he called her his precious angel.
Calvin was not only a husband, but a father, grandfather and friend. He loved his grandchildren more than anything and would stop the world for them if he could. When his granddaughter, Alexandria was born, his first words were, look at her little rose bud lips. He was proud and you could see it every time he held her. They were close and when Alexandria wanted something, she could bend his heart every time.
He loved his family, but he also had a love for fishing. He would spend many weekends on rivers, enjoying the sport with his friends. He taught his daughter to fish, and he would always say, “Rhonda, you need to learn how to bait your own hook. I am spending more time baiting your hook, than I am fishing.”
His favorite sport was Football, especially the Florida Gators and the Tampa Bay Bucs. No one wanted to be around Calvin when either team was losing. His passion ran so deep, he just couldn’t stand it. His hat and anything else he could find would go flying across the room and profanities would follow.
After Calvin retired from GTE, he began to take on the chore of cooking. But to Calvin, it wasn’t a chore, he found he really enjoyed it. He would gather recipes from friends, cookbooks, and the newspaper and would always try something new and different, and he was really good at it. But the one thing he was most famous for was his barbecue. Everyone who ate Calvin’s barbecue chicken and ribs, would always say how phenomenal they tasted. He just had a knack for cooking on the grill.
One thing Calvin could do well, is tell a story. He had a way about him, when he told a story, he could keep you captivated. He was always light hearted, funny and could always make you laugh.
Calvin loved his beer. His two favorites were Natural Light and Bush. You never saw Calvin without a beer in his hand. Whenever he traveled, long or short distances, he would always bring his own beer in a little cooler.
Calvin was interred at Sarasota National Cemetery on Wednesday, June 4, 2014, following a private family service. A public service with Military Honors will be scheduled for Bay Pines National Cemetery shortly.
We are very sorry for Cal’s passing and send condolences to Caroline, Rhonda & family. Cal really did like telling stories of growing up in Florida & loved the book, The Land Remembered. We will always remember you.
I love you daddy! As you always used to call me, your precious little angel. It’s your turn to be mine. Rest in peace.
Gone, but not forgotten.
Calvin was a good friend and it was my honor to know and work with him at both GTE and EF&I.
Rest in Peace Cal.
You will be missed my friend. There is so much more we still had to talk about. Tell the GOBS (the good ole boys of Seminole, Jake, Duke and Ted) I said Hello and we’ll take up where we left off when I see you again!
We are here to celebrate your life.
And the measure of its worth.
And every single life you touched.
While you were on this earth.
We wish to pay our last respects.
That’s why we all are here.
To thank you for your friendship.
And all the memories we hold dear.
Its been a privilege to have known you.
We were family not just friends.
And we will carry you in spirit.
Until we meet up once again.
Calvin was my friend for 44 years. Not just any friend, but my best friend. He was like a brother to me. We were so different yet so much alike. Who would have thought a country boy from Wauchula Florida and a Yankee from Jersey could have ever gotten along so well. My heart aches, but my heart is also filled with so many wonderful memories I will cherish forever. What a joy to work with, hang with, travel with, drink a beer with, laugh with, and sometimes cry with Cal. I will thank God every day to have allowed me the privilege and honor to have been part of Calvin’s life. He will be forever loved.
Rest in peace my good friend
my god bless you and your family.
Cal, you are an inspiration. I only recently learned of your passing, and it was such a shock. RIP dear buddy. I’ll always have your memory with me. Bless your family.
As I sit here in my bed, its hard to type this and not burst out in tears but I never really got the chance to say goodbye. I loved you more than anything and at one point, I couldn’t imagine my life without you. People always say that time heals all wounds but in this situation, I am very doubtful. I’m 18 now, papa. Graduated high school, have a great job, and I’m doing well in my college courses as well. We weren’t on the best terms when you passed but that doesn’t change that I’ll love you always no matter what. So much has changed since you past, and there is more to come. I can’t help but think that you will never be there to walk me down the aisle, or watch my kids grow up or be their for mom, who needs you the most. We miss you, papa and will never stop missing you. You are on my arm to symbolize that walk down the aisle and I hope you approve of all the decisions I make from here on out.
With love, your angel, Alexandria.