Family, Faith, Friend, Football - this is what defined Tim Knight. He was a master storyteller and he lived life through those stories. He departed us way too soon on the morning of July 8 from a heart attack. His presence will be deeply missed.
Timothy E. Knight was born in Burley, Idaho, on Oct. 18, 1963. He moved to Unionville, Nev., as a boy and returned to Burley to complete high school. Tim was a distinguished athlete, especially in football. He earned numerous awards for his defensive performance on the high school field and received a full scholarship to play for BYU.
Tim's football abilities earned him many collegiate honors as well - Western Athletic Conference Most Outstanding Player, AP Honorable Mention All-American and Western Athletic Conference Scholar Athlete Award. Tim was part of the 1984 National College Football Championship team defeating Michigan in the Holiday Bowl. Tim served a mission for the Church of Latter-day Saints in West Virginia and later graduated with a teaching degree in history from BYU. It was during these college years while spending the summers farming in Lovelock, Nev., that he met his soulmate, a kind, devoted girl who loved to share a laugh. Sally Brinkerhoff married him on May 7, 1988.
They moved to Malta, Idaho, where Tim landed his first teaching and coaching job at Raft River High School. During this time, the couple had their first child, Timothy "Fritz" - a direct reflection of Tim, and not just by namesake.
The family relocated to Battle Mountain, Nev., in 1990, where Tim taught history at BMHS and coached numerous sports. Tim coached football with his buddy and former BYU teammate, Jay Huckaby for 10 years. In the meantime, their daughter was born, Brynn - the pure joy of his life. Later, they welcomed their youngest child, Regan - his shadow and partner in crime. Tim's greatest accomplishment was his children. He loved to pull them onto his lap for hugs and loved watching them turn into the caring people they've become. Tim taught them by example to love, be generous and include laughter each day.
Tim became the Longhorn head football coach in 2003. He helped his team earn Nevada State Runner-Up titles in 2003, 2004 and 2008. He taught his players the game of football, not just coached them. Tim was awarded the Northern Nevada Coach of the Year honors in 2004. Tim never had a losing record and his teams made it to the playoffs every year. His booming voice could be clearly heard during the first half of each game, but by the second half it had faded into a yelling whisper.
Tim was a strong figure in the classroom as well. Teaching was a craft that he had perfected. He proudly earned his Master's Degree in Teaching from Grand Canyon University. He was a favorite among students and staff year after year. Tim was chosen as Teacher of the Year. It was an honor he treasured since it was decided upon by his colleagues. He genuinely cared for his students, his athletes and his school. Tim was admired by his students for his passion of learning and was respected by his players for his passion of the game. His knowledge stretched far beyond the grasp of many.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Knight, and his mother, Elfrieda Siebach Knight. He's survived by his wife of 25 years, Sally and their beautiful children Fritz, Brynn and Regan. Survivors also include his brothers and sisters: David, Nora, Dan, Katy, John, Bonnie, Aaron, Nathan and Adam, as well as many adored nephews and nieces and extended family members.
Family and friends are God's gift to you, as you are to them. He influenced many lives in the classroom, on the field and across life's path by his lessons, conversations, guidance and stories. Tim was definitely a gift to all who knew him!
Funeral services were July 12, 2013, at the BMHS football field at 7 p.m., Friday evening on the gridiron - Tim's favorite place.
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