Ret. Col. Alphonso Wilbert Knight Jr.'s Obituary
Retired Colonel Alphonso Wilbert Knight, Jr. was born to Alphonso Wilbert Knight, Sr. and Lottie Knight on April 22, 1948 in Roanoke, Virginia and passed away Monday, August 23, 2021 in Tacoma, Washington.
The oldest of three children, Alphonso was raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He was close with his parents and siblings while growing up and was fondly called Junior. As a child he enjoyed music and wrestling. The family attended Cote Brilliant Presbyterian Church and had multiple pet dogs named Tinkle Girl, Toast, Major and Germany. Alphonso graduated from Northwest High School in 1966 and joined the United States Army five years later in 1971.
He received his bachelor’s degree from Southwest Missouri State University and master’s degrees from Central Michigan University and Chapman University.
Retired Col. Alphonso W. Knight, Jr. was commissioned an Armor Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School, Class 18-71, September 30, 1971. His first duty assignment was as Platoon Leader in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. His subsequent duty assignments included: Assistant Battalion S-1, 4-68th Armor (Airborne), 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Education & Training Officer, Pentagon/Military District of Washington (MDW), Washington, D.C.; Armament Maintenance Officer, 3rd Armored Division, Material Management Center (MMC), Frankfurt, Germany; Company Commander, 503rd Supply & Transportation Battalion, 3rd Armored Division, Hanau, Germany; Battalion S-3, 503rd Supply & Transportation Battalion, 3rd Armored Division, Frankfurt, Germany; Quartermaster Lieutenants and Captains Assignment Officer, Quartermaster Branch, Officer Professional Military Development (OPMD), Military Personnel Center, Alexandria, Virginia; G-4 Maintenance Officer, Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4, 9th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington; Support Operations Officer and Executive Officer, 5th Support Battalion (Main), 9th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington; Maintenance Management Officer, 2nd Infantry Division, MMC, Camp Casey, Korea; Chief, Division MMC, Division Support Command (DISCOM), Fort Lewis, Washington; Battalion Commander, Supply Battalion, Forward, Fort Lewis, Washington; Combat Service Support Senior Officer, Joint Readiness Training Center, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Fort Polk, Louisiana; Commander, Logistics Center, Material Management Support, Camp Henry, Korea; Commander, Army Material Command, Logistics Support Element, Far East, Seoul, Korea.
He was a graduate of the Logistics Executive Developmental Course, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College. Col. Knight received many decorations but the ones he was most proud of were the Senior Parachute Badge, Pathfinder Torch, Ranger Tab and Parachute Rigger Badge. In 1997 the achievements Col. Alphonso Knight, Jr. had in his 30+ year career earned him a spot in the Officer Candidate School (OCS) Hall of Fame in Fort Benning, Georgia under Armor as Branch of Service.
Once he retired in 2000, he and his wife Isebell settled down in Tacoma, Washington. He didn’t stay still for long and soon found a job at Patriots Landing that led to a radio show called “Military Report” at KLAY. Even that wasn’t enough for this Taurus and he returned to school and earned his master’s degree from Chapman University while becoming the Superintendent of the Washington Veterans Home in Port Orchard. He also joined the Army Chief of Staff's (CSA) Retiree Council at the Pentagon. He volunteered at the Buffalo Soldier Museum, the Fort Lewis Museum, Habitat for Humanity and many local corporate boards and committees.
Alphonso valued his family, friendships and times of fellowship. He loved coffee and boating. His favorite game was Spades. He enjoyed fireworks, his Cadillac Allante, grilling meats and being a private pilot. He genuinely loved and cared for people and if he saw a need, he would not hesitate to assist, whether providing transportation or financial assistance.
Above all else, Big Al loved God and His word. Only eternity will tell the lives influenced by his life. He is survived by his wife Isebell Knight and son SFC William Corey Knight. He is also survived by his father Alphonso Wilbert Knight, Sr. and sister Jacquelyn K. Lucas. He is predeceased by his mother Lottie Knight and brother Curtis Knight.
The service will be held on September 2, 2021 at Mountainview Funeral Home, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, Washington 98499. There will be a 9:00am viewing, 11:30am chapel service and 1:30pm full military burial.
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