Allen Ray Knight passed from this world on Dec. 19, 2019. Allen was born to Shirley and Ronald E. Knight in San Pablo, California. From the age of 7 he grew up in Hoquiam, where he would remain the majority of his life. Allen had a joyous spirit and was always up for fun and adventure. In high school Al was excellent at tennis and a key actor in the drama club. Known for his outgoing personality and his friendliness with all, Al was chosen as his class president. He took the job seriously and helped to plan numerous school reunions. Perhaps Al’s greatest claim to fame at the time was that he was the first male to take a class from a female P.E. teacher back when the classes were separated out by boys and girls. Using his quick wits, Al found a loophole in the school handbook which allowed him to be surrounded by girls and envied by all the boys.

After his 1983 high school graduation, Allen attended Grays Harbor College, where he studied carpentry, a skill that he would use his entire life. Allen also attended school in Nevada, studying to be a paramedic. There was no one else anyone would want in a crisis other than Al. Anyone who knew him would tell you that he always took care of his family. They were truly his world. He spent countless hours by the side of his beloved grandfather, Roger Peterman. The lessons and stories he learned from Roger were shared with all those who knew him. Allen was an amazing storyteller and was known for keeping his historical narratives alive.

Allen dedicated his life to those in need, dropping everything to take care of his friends as they battled their own illnesses. He was by his mother’s side to the very end as together they took on her bouts of cancer. His loving support of his brother-in-law Tim will never be forgotten either. Allen was there to help with any project, whether it was a busted pipe or building a dance floor for a wedding, He could be depended upon.

He was a brilliant fisherman and could always be found on the bank with his limit. He loved to share his catch with friends and family near and far. Al shared his joy of life and the outdoors with his friends’ children, who lovingly called him Uncle Al. To them, though, he was so much more than just an uncle. He was their inspiration, their confidant, their partner in mischief, and their friend. It was not uncommon for Allen to drop by his friends’ houses and take their kids on adventures, leaving his friends at home wondering why they weren’t invited. There was no one better than their Uncle Al and he will never be replaced. Allen was best at home in nature. He enjoyed his Sunday hikes in the woods and loved exploring old logging camps and bringing history to life for others. He spent countless hours on the Tornow Memorial site and was proud of the work he had done there. A voracious reader, he always had several books going at once, reading various historical accounts of the Pacific Northwest.

Al was a free spirit; you never knew where he could be next. One time you might get a phone call that he had gone to Alaska to fish with friends, the next time you might find him driving to the mountain to enjoy a snowstorm. Later you might get a call out of the blue, finding him walking the trails of the redwoods. He would always come back with stories of his escapades, making you wish you had been there with him. Al loved nothing more than to drop everything to spend a summer day down at the river or head up to the Wynooche Dam to hike the trails. He enjoyed vacations to Lake Tahoe, where he would float for hours out on his air mattress with his diet Dr. Pepper and a trusty donut or two. Together with his friends, he got pretty good at wasting away a day, having fun, and making memories.

Allen was preceded in his death by his beloved mother, Shirley Ellis. He is survived by his stepfather Jim Ellis, sister Julie (Tim) Merrill, brother Brant Knight, step-sisters Joanie (Kim) Skinner and Christine (Shawn) Hill and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. He leaves behind numerous friends, who were each special to him in their own way. We will never know exactly why he needed to leave us, but you can look for his endearing spirit on the banks of the Humptulips, at the shores of the Wynooche Dam or in the crystal water of Lake Tahoe.

A celebration of Allen’s life will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2020, at the Hoquiam Elk Lodge #1082, 624 K St. Memorial donations in Allen’s name may be made to the 7th Street Theatre.

To share memories or express condolences please visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com. Harrison Family Mortuary is honored to assist the family.