Published in Deseret News from June 22 to June 23, 2002
Keith L. Knight (88) passed away June 19, 2002 in Salt Lake City, UT. He was born May 31, 1914 to Warren L. and Ethel Turner Knight in Farmington, Utah. He married Lila Strong on May 16, 1934 - later divorced. On April 12, 1981, married Arlene Hanna. Keith attended Salt Lake City schools and the University of Utah. He was a prominent business and civic leader and member of the LDS Church. He joined the Chevrolet Motor Division and traveled as district manager of the parts and Accessories Division and headed up the Pacific Coast regional Chevrolet school, lecturing in California, Oregon, Washington, Montana and Utah. He entered the real estate business with Parrish Realty Company on Sept. 1, 1941. He was honored on the 50th anniversary of this date for his devotion to his chosen field. He became his own broker in 1944 and formed Knight Realty Company, which has been a very active group ever since. He set up a special sales organization to market the first 300 homes that were built in the converted Kearns Air Force Base at the end of World War II. That set him into the direction and path of subdividing over 3,000 lots in Salt Lake Valley. He went on to invite builders to join him in the construction of some 2,000 homes. At one time, his company was the largest owner of apartment houses in the State of Utah, having built, developed and owned 492 rental units. He has constructed well over 1,000,000 sq. ft. of commercial and industrial properties in the Salt Lake Valley, among which are the Dept. of Employment Security Building, 555 Broadway Building and two industrial parks in Murray and Sandy. He helped to create and build many buildings, including IBM, Metropolitan Life and Prudential Life. At the time of his death he was considered the oldest active real estate broker in Utah. Along the way he became charter president of the Utah Housing Council in 1949. Then he was named President of the Salt Lake Board of Realtors in 1951 and then became President of the Utah State Board of Realtors in 1953 and a Director in the National Association of Realtors in 1954-55. He hit the peak of his career in 1963 when he was honored as Utah Realtor of the Year. He went on to become President of the Utah Chapter of Independent Fee Appraisers in 1975. The University of Utah Alumni Association gave him the Merit of Honor Award in the Emeritus Club. He was called on to lecture on various aspects of real estate development at the University of Utah. He became an honorary realtor in the Omega Tau Rho real estate fraternity. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and Desert Forest Golf Club of Carefree, Arizona. He served on the following boards: YMCA, Salvation Army, Community Services Council and the United Way. Keith was always active in civic affairs and was a Salt Lake County Planning Commissioner from 1949 to 1956. He became President of the Ambassador Athletic Club and the Southeast Lion's Club. He was past Vice President of the Willow Creek Country Club and on the Board of Directors of the First Security State Bank. He was President for two years of the Community Nursing Service and was on the Board of Trustees of that agency for 32 years before his retirement. He also served the American Heart Assoc. and was a member of the Health Sciences Council of the University of Utah Hospital. He enjoyed golfing and traveling with his wife, Arlene, and many fun activities with his family. Surviving family members include his wife, Arlene; two sons and two daughters: K. Ronald Knight (Elaine) of Salt Lake City; Steven L. Knight of Salt Lake City; Marlene K. Riggs (Westlyn) of Mesa, AZ; and Susan K. Bennett of Murray. He was a loving grandfather to 19 grandchildren and 51 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Darlene K. Maughn of Salt Lake City; and brother Miland C. Knight of Vernal. The family would like to thank the doctors and staff of the University of Utah Hospital, the Kolff Dialysis Center and Utah Dialysis for the excellent care provided to their father. Funeral services will be held at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 S. Highland Drive in Salt Lake City at 12 noon on June 24, 2002. Friends may call Sunday, June 23rd, 6-8 p.m. or on Monday June 24th from 10:45-11:45 a.m. at Wasatch Lawn. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to a charity of your choice.