Douglas Franklin Knapton, 81
Douglas Franklin Knapton, 81 of Columbia Falls, passed away in the early morning hours of Sept. 10, 2023, with his beloved wife by his side.
He was born May 18, 1942, in Bemidji, Minnesota, to the late William Henry and Lenora Amundson Knapton. He was the youngest of three boys. The family moved to Columbia Falls in 1945. He attended Columbia Falls High School where he played football and the trombone in band.
He graduated from high school in 1960 and went on to study at Northern Montana College in Havre, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in applied sciences. While attending Northern, Doug met Janice Everett, the love of his life and wife. They were married in 1965.
He was a teacher for over 35 years, his first 3 years at Columbia Falls, and the next 32 years at Cut Bank Junior High. He was actively involved in student academics as well as athletics. He started the science fair program in Cut Bank, and over the years, took many students to the State Science Fair in Missoula. In class, Mr. Knapton had the privilege of teaching thousands of students about the world of science, notably the annual egg drops, dissections, and hatching ducklings and chicks. After the bell rang, he also coached junior high football, basketball, and little league baseball.
He was a devout servant of his Lord. He served actively in the St. Paul’s Lutheran congregation in Cut Bank, and later in his home congregation of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls.
One of the greatest moments in Doug’s life was becoming a father to his daughter and son, Shawna and Scott. He took great pride in their accomplishments as well as those of his grandchildren. He was a mentor of life skills and integrity.
Doug and Janice enjoyed many adventures in life, traveling to different places in their retirement, often accompanied by Janice’s sister Loretta and her husband Chuck Conrad.
He was an avid hunter and spent countless fall days in the Sweetgrass Hills with his close friends, son, and grandsons. He was also passionate about woodworking. His creative genius will always be remembered when admiring the numerous pieces that he created and donated or gave away as gifts. He was a life-long Green Bay Packer fan. He enjoyed his daily Mountain Dew or Pepsi, his wife’s chocolate chip cookies, and peanut butter and honey sandwiches.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Janice Knapton; daughter, Shawna Korth (Jay); son, Scott Knapton (Belinda); grandchildren, MacKenzie, Kennedy, Erik, Brandon, DJ, Jordan, and Allec; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Jim Knapton; in-Laws, Lynn and Virginia Everett, Loretta Conrad and Sandra Knapton; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Doug is preceded in death by his brother, Dick Knapton; brother-in-law, Charles Conrad; and nephew, Joel Conrad.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Fri., Sept. 22, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.