Donald Knapp Jr. died at the age of 20, 9 days before his 21st Birthday. He died of Spinal Cancer. Donald Knapp had his eye on law school, graduated high school and attending a local college, had a fiance'. The first-born child of Charletta and Donald Knapp, one of two sons. Very close to his younger brother David, who he always kept in line, or tried to, a positive influence in young David's life. Their mother died two days after David was born, due to childbirth complications, they were raised by their grandmother, their mother's mother, Bessie Himberger. Their dad remarried, to their stepmother Mildred. Mildred and their dad had one child together, a daughter, Kathy (Knapp) Schulte. Donald Jr. died a year after being diagnosed with spinal cancer, a week before his 21st Birthday. The cancer was discovered through routine medical tests, while being treated at the hospital, after having a bad car accident. David was 17 at the time, Kathy was only 14. Both brothers had different groups of friends and actually knew little of each others lifestyles or friends. Though they lived together and was close. One of Donald's friends he went to school with attended his funeral along with that friends family. The friend was Gale Sayers, who became a famous football player with the Chicago Bears. Which David never knew about till years later. Such a tragedy to die so young, with so much potential and ambition. His death left a void in his brothers life, who was devastated for years. David had been in a boys home for 3 years, placed by his father for being rebellious and to get him away from his grandmothers negative influence. His dad got him out when his brother died, but heartbroken Dave went back to live with his grandmother. David dropped out of 12th grade, went into the Army and got his G.E.D. and married Bonnie Clayman from Chicago on Sept. 28th, 1971, they have three children, Traci, David Jr., and Steve. Dave now resides in Wichita, Kansas near his childhood buddy from Omaha.