Danny Kight

Danny R. Kight of Jackson entered heaven Monday, Jan. 30, 2006, following a lengthy illness.

Dan was born Oct. 27, 1947, in Delta, son of the late John and Pauline Croy Kight. He was the fifth of eight boys. He and Karen Crawford Kight were married Aug. 9, 1969.

Dan graduated from Delta High School in 1965. He entered the United States Army in 1966, and served as a medical specialist in Vietnam. He received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star, and held membership in both the Purple Heart Association, and the Vietnam Veterans Association.

Dan's high school coach, J.F. Dopp, inspired him to attend college upon his return from Vietnam. He graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1971, with a physical education degree, then taught and coached at both Oak Ridge and Delta until ill health changed his life.

In 1979, when Dan was 27, he began Dan Kight Painting, which he continued until unable to work in 2002.

He was an active member of First Baptist Church, serving as Sunday School Department director, teacher, Royal Ambassador leader, and church training leader.

Dan loved coaching Optimist and AAU Basketball. His team won the Show Me Games for its division in the 1980s. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, and fishing, and found great enjoyment playing cards with friends on Monday nights.

Loving survivors include his wife, Karen; and a son and daughter-in-law, Quinn and Lidia Kight of Biloxi, Miss.

Also surviving are five brothers and sisters-in-law, Fred and Saundra Kight, Stanley and Sharon Kight, all of Whitewater, Kieth and Kim Kight of Leopold, Mo., Scott and Kathy Kight of Jackson, and Rick and Sherry Kight of Marble Hill, Mo.; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mary and John Crawford of Cape Girardeau; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Judy and Doug White of Tulsa, Okla.; 18 nieces and nephews, 22 great-nieces and nephews; five aunts, and two uncles.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Bobby and Herman Kight; and two nephews.

Friends may call Thursday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be held at 7 p.m., with Dr. Brian Anderson and the Rev. Carter Frey officiating. Interment will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, with full military honors.

Pallbearers are Vernon Huck, Bill Pate, Sam McVay, Ernest Brown, Doug White, and George Landre.

Honorary pallbearers are Darris Dalton and J.F. Dopp.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Crossroads Building Fund, or the Baptist Children's Home.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family on-line at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.