Roy Hill McKnight, Jr., 79, died January 24, 2010, at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont.

Roy was born on June 4, 1930 to Dr. Roy Hill McKnight and Anita Louise Sanders McKnight.  He graduated from Texas Tech University where he was a member of the Red Raider Rodeo team.  He served in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Iceland.

Roy was a lifelong resident of Beaumont, except from 1996 to 2009.  He fulfilled his dream to live in West Texas and resided in Camp Wood, Texas on the banks of the Nueces River.  He was a member of the Barksdale United Methodist Church where he served as the organist.

His love for the outdoors in the last few years was spent mainly hunting turkeys with his friends.  God gifted Roy with an incredible natural talent on the keyboards.  Whether piano or organ, he brought joy to friends and loved ones for many years.

His family is grateful that he is resting in peace and grateful to the Staff at Harbor Hospice for their loving care.

Roy is survived by his sister, Ann McKnight Dishman and her husband Jim; nephews, Jamie Dishman and his wife Cindy and Hill Dishman and his wife Donelle; niece, Carol Dishman Buckley and her husband Rihl; seven great nieces and nephews who called him, affectionally, Uncle “Turkey” Roy.

A memorial service will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at Trinity United Methodist Church under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin. A gathering will follow in the McKnight Parlor.