of Bee Branch, AR
July 15, 1942 - March 24, 2024
Harold Dean McKnight, 81, of Bee Branch entered Heaven's gate March 24, 2024. Born July 15, 1942, he was a son of Earl Barrett and Gladys French McKnight.
Dean was an athlete. Starting with his days as a South Side Hornet, through playing American Legion baseball, to refereeing high school basketball, he loved sports. From bowling to golf, Dean excelled at most sports he tried.
He was an avid quail hunter, a card shark and he would beat you in dominos because he knew what bones you had before you played them. He loved cars, ice cream, storytelling, fast food and people watching, particularly from his bench as the unofficial greeter at Clinton Walmart.
A pipefitter/welder, he was a proud member of Local 155 of the United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters, joining in 1964. His work took him across the country, from helping to build the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, to Cleveland, to Wood River, IL, with many stops in between. Dean was a ''welder's welder'' known for his perfect finish work. He finished his career with IHP Industrial, mainly working at Arkansas Kraft paper mill in Morrilton.
Dean was a lifelong member of Pleasant Valley General Baptist Church, serving as a deacon since 1973. His love for the Lord and his church family led to him being a Sunday School teacher; an off-tune choir member and potluck taste tester. Dean never hesitated to pray with or witness to anyone, offering encouraging words and sharing his faith with everyone he met.
He married Sandra Kaye Shannon in 1963. Despite being total opposites, they spent 50 years together before her passing. They raised a family filled with love and wise cracks. Dean was a great Daddy, but he found his calling at being ''PaPa Dino.'' His family was his proudest accomplishment.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; sisters, Esther Jo McKnight and Carolyn Hall; brother, Jamie McKnight; son-in-law, Steve Atkinson and grandpup, Scratch.
He is survived by his son, Michael Regan McKnight of Damascus; daughter, Shannon DeAnna Atkinson of Houston (Perry County); daughter, Brooke Caroline McKnight-Gross and husband, Glenn of Little Rock; grandson, Barrett McKnight; granddaughter, Michelle Rhoda and husband, Cherokee; great-grandchildren, Ashlyn, Bo, Tucker and Max; sisters, Anna Jean Thomas of Hot Springs Village and Judy Thornton of Springdale and brothers, Freddy McKnight of Alexandria, LA and Roger McKnight of Bee Branch.
Funeral will be Friday, March 29th at 2 pm at Pleasant Valley General Baptist Church, 5153 Hwy 92 W, Bee Branch, AR with Bro. Randell Byrd officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, March 28th from 5-8 pm at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Clinton, AR.
Pallbearers are Regan McKnight, Barrett McKnight, Cherokee Rhoda, Glenn Gross, Bart McKnight, Brett McKnight, Scott Thomas, Jack McKnight and Bruce Hall.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Little Rock Compassion Center, 3618 W Roosevelt Road, Little Rock, AR 72204.
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20 Condolence(s)
Benita Hunt Hickman
Monday, May 13, 2024
Just heard this news! I have many fond memories of Mr. McKnight's officiating our basketball games. So sorry for your loss. Blessings to all.
Vicki Hutto
Friday, March 29, 2024
So very sorry!!! Miss him and Mr Parvati in Wal Mart!!! He was a good man
Carolyn Williams Hartsfield
Friday, March 29, 2024
Harold Dean was a good and fun classmate at South Side high school
1960. Now he is in the arms of Jesus. It is very sad our class has lost another class mate.May God be with all the family and give the comfort and peace they need.
Ronda Lankford
Friday, March 29, 2024
So sorry about your Dad Shannon,my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.God Bless You All.
Tina Brooks
Friday, March 29, 2024
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for family. He was such a sweetheart.
Susie Hutto Clark
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Kimberly Clark Trice
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
I am so sorry for your loss and pray that you will allow God to give you peace and comfort during your grieving journey.
Love,
Kimberly (Kim)
Irene Wilson
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
I enjoyed and loved the time I got to spend taking care of Harold Dean. He will be missed. Prayers to the family. RIP Harold Dean
Carol and Dwight Hutto
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Your love for your Papa was always so dear when you talked with us about him, Michelle. We know your sense of loss, yet your knowledge that he has finished his race and has seen the Lord and other loved ones who’ve gone on before. How precious is our FAITH, and I know HE is the one who instilled that into you all your life. We love you, Michelle. Always, C&D
Diane Ward
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Tears are a language God understands!
Prayers for all your family!!
Dwight L Decker
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Dean was my Brother-in-Christ and has been my Deacon since I started as pastor at Pleasant Valley. He served the Lord faithfully as long as he was physically able to attend and continued to serve his Church, others and his Savior through his prayers. His Family, Friends, Community and His Church will greatly miss him.
Connie Cauley Spiller
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
May God give each of you peace in knowing Harold Dean is having the 'time of his life' getting reacquainted with all those gone before him. His life was a genuine witness for the Lord. I always enjoyed running into him for it was the highlight of my day to spend a moment reminiscing with him. What a beautiful soul!
Kathy Hall Wickard
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Our deepest condolences. Kathy, Dan & Alyssa
Toney and Sallie Parish
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
We are so sorry for your loss! We pray God’s peace for all the family!
Les Smith
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Dear McKnight Family:
We’re sorry to hear about your loss. Y’all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love and Prayers
Les and Kathryn Smith
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Stefanie Seigrist
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
To the McKnight family I am so sorry for your loss ! Dean was a special man!!!! He worked with my grandpa ( Dean Matthews) and later worked with my dad ( Robert Matthews ( Bobby) for years ! Every time I would run into Dean out and about he would hug me and always have something to say !!!! He was a special man!!!! He will be missed !!!
Stefanie( Matthews )Seigrist
Jeff Duncan
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
I have fond memories of Harold Dean and his ole hot Rod pick up. Prayers for all the family
Chris and Leah Hutto
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Prayers for all his family. Spent several afternoons with Harold Dean talking about family and friends that had passed on. He would cry everytime. He is with his Lord and getting to see alot of those folks he missed so dearly.He has no tears today. He was one of the best Sunday School teachers i have ever heard and I appreciated him so very much. He never missed an opportunity to talk about his family and loved you unconditionly.. Prayers for comfort and strength for the kids and all the family in the days ahead.??
Natasha Edens
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
I am sorry for your loss my prays go out to your family during this time for comfort and peace
Darlene Hall
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
I am very sorry for your loss. He was a very nice person and I enjoyed
each visit I had with him.
My prays are with you children and your family.
Darlene Hall
Bruce Hall