Taylor H. Knight

H. Taylor Knight was born October 19, 1924 in Hutchinson, Kansas. He passed away in Newport Beach on December 28, 2007, with Paula, his wife of 56 years, and daughter Nancy by his side.?

He attended USC, as an engineering student and was president of the engineering fraternity Sigma Phi Delta. The war interrupted his college career, and Taylor served? in the SW Pacific Theater from 1943-1946. He graduated from USC in 1950 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and remained a staunch supporter of the school for the rest of his life. During his time at SC, he met UCLA student Paula Henderson through mutual friends. They married in June of 1951, and their daughter Nancy was born in April of 1952.
Before retiring to Newport Beach in 1987, Taylor was an engineer with Schlumberger Well Services and later, a? construction inspector with Kern County. He was also a member owner of Sunkist with orange groves in Corona and Terrabella.
He highly valued his community and was a good neighbor. He was a wonderfully caring and devoted husband to Paula, a loving dad to Nancy, and a doting grandad to Sarah? All were inspired by him to enjoy life to the fullest, to sharpen their wits, and to avoid taking themselves too seriously.
He is survived by wife Paula; daughter Nancy Knight Smith, son-in-law, Stephen J. Smith and grandaughter, Sarah Taylor Smith; nephews Michael and Kevin Pleas and their families; Bob Neff and family; niece Gini Bynum and family; Callen goddaughters Connie, Liz, and Jennifer and their families; and multitudes of good and trusted friends whom he considered family. We will remember Taylor for his honesty and integrity, his fine mind, his competence, his generosity, his sense of humor and fun, and his love of good friends, good food, good drinks, and good times.
There will be a memorial gathering on Saturday, February? 2, 1:00 at The Newport Harbor Yacht Club. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Taylor?s memory to the Newport Beach Public Library - Balboa Branch, or the Hoag Hospital Foundation.