Bobby Ray Knight, 61

Bobby Ray Knight was born Jan. 7, 1949, in Bradleyville, Mo., to Herman and Mary Jane Knight. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1972. Bob married the love of his life, Shirley, after 40 years. Bob loved hunting, fishing, good ole country music and a cold beer by the fire. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and making sure they had good grades, and became responsible adults. Bob loved and was loved by everyone who met him " his door was open to all. Most of all, Bob dreamed of catching that big trout, pike or catfish and the mighty majestic bull elk and bear. During the winter Dad bought a 7-mm rifle and hunting knife in the hopes of changing his luck; unfortunately luck would have it we lost our beloved father Jan. 19, 2010, at 9:11 p.m. Bob was preceded in death by his father, Herman Knight; mother, Mary Jane Knight; brother, Melvin; best friend of 50 years, Dennis Young; uncle, John; aunt, Kathryn; and nephews, Everett and Russell. Bob is survived by his wife of 40 years, Shirley; son, Nicholas, and wife, Tasha, and grandchildren, Nicholas, Hunter and Trenton; daughter, Cindy, and husband, Roddy, and grandchildren, Clay, Roddy Ray and Wyatt; son, Ryan, and wife, Shiree, and grandchild, Mariah; daughter, Regina, and husband, Derek, and grandchildren, Bobbie and Terance, and great-grandchildren, Isaac and Blake; daughter, Tiffany, and unborn grandson; daughter, Jolean, and husband, Josh, and grandchildren, Bryan, Kalynn, Cheyenne and Derek; son, Bobby, and wife, Leane, and grandchildren, Kayla, Collin and Kyle; son, Billy Jack, and wife, Mandy, and grandson, Harley; daughter, Kathy, and grandchildren, Kelsey, Nathan, Mariah and Theron; daughter, JoAnn, and grandchildren, Michael, Chris and Eric; Bob s brother and best friend always and forever, Don, and Darlene, and nephews, Donny and wife, Christy, Jeremiah and wife, Jessica, Lucas and Joseph, and niece, Sarah; and numerous great-nieces and nephews; brother, James, and wife, Maryellen, nephew, Greg, and nieces, Melissa and Sandra; brother, Wayne; sister, Evelyn; Bob s best friend of 16 years, Dan, and Chris Catron (whenever there was a need he could count on his buddy Dan); Dan s son, Nolan, and wife, Echo, and grandchildren, Justin, Teka and Megan. In loving memory of the Wild Man now headed to meet the Great Lord. We love you, Daddy, it was a great ride, Strong Stinkin , Pumpin in the wind. A visitation will be held from 1 to 8 p.m. today, Jan. 22, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls, with graveside military honors by the United Veterans of the Flathead and the U.S. Navy.