"Mark was a great guy. We were privileged to work with him for several years when he was doing graphic design and IT work and got to know him both as a co-worker and friend. He truly was a special person, and this world will miss him."
In loving memory of
Mark Knight
Mark Jeffrey Knight, 53, of Tempe AZ died February 23, 2014 in a flying accident between Maricopa and Casa Grande. Although he left us suddenly and entirely too soon, the legacy he leaves behind in his family and friends will live forever. Mark was born on January 12, 1961 in Denver, CO to Gerald and Willodean Knight and was the 3rd of 7 children. He grew up in Illinois and graduated from Wheaton-Warrenville High School. Mark was a brilliant artist. He worked in several mediums, including pencil, watercolor and wood carving, as well as photography. He had a talent for music and played guitar. Mark was also an amazing athlete; he excelled at hiking, kayaking, mountain biking and anything related to the outdoors. But, his first love was everything having to do with flight. His overriding passion was hang gliding.
Mark was married 11 years to Debbie and together they had Sarah Agnes Knight, the absolute light of his life. He put his passion for hang gliding on hold to raise his daughter. He worked for many years as a freelance graphic design artist and as a computer wizard. Once his daughter was grown and with the support of an amazing woman, his wife Marla, Mark took a chance and did something not many of us can say we do..."He found a way to have a job doing something he loved and sharing his passion for the skies with others." He and his wife Marla currently own and operate Sonora Wings. He piloted a Dragonfly and was a hang glide instructor. He gave the experience of soaring over the Arizona desert that he loved to many. Mark had recently been elected Vice President of the Arizona Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (AZHPA) and was also a member of the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA).
Those of us whose lives Mark touched are truly richer having known and loved him. He is survived by his wife of 12 years and best friend Marla Vanden Berg, his daughter Sarah Knight and her significant other Sean Mann, step-daughters K-Lee and Lisa Gilligan. His mother Willodean Knight. Brothers Jerry Knight (Linda) and children Brittany Kaczorowski (Michael), Daniel and Christa; Kerry Knight (Amy) and children Emma, Claire and Sam; and Christopher Knight and children Benjamin and India. Sisters Lori Guilfoyle (Todd Partain) and daughter Katie; Stephanie (Gregg) Scarato and children Vinny and Savannah; and Jennifer (Hector) Nassar and children Madeleine and Jasmine Greeson and Elijah Nassar. Mother-in-law Anne Vanden Berg, sister-in-law Ardith (Bob) Van Beek and daughter Lisa, brother-in-law Cal (Linda) Vanden Berg and sons Chad, Jarod and Cory, aunts and uncles, brother-of-heart Jeffrey Sawner, friend and Sarah's mother Debbie Skarbonkiewicz, and a host of friends and colleagues. Viewing will be held Sunday, March 2, 2014, 1-2pm, service to begin at 2pm (at Mark's favorite place, the airfield!) 11934 N. Russell Rd., Maricopa, AZ 85138. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions as a gift to AZHPA through Paypal by clicking the "Donate" button at the bottom left at www.azhpa.org All funds will to go Mark Knight. Or you may send a check to Mark Knight Memorial fund c/o AZHPA, P.O. Box 39013, Phoenix, AZ 85069.
Tributes
"Mark will be missed all who knew him. My heart goes out to his wonderful wife Marla. Wish I could attend the memorial service but health issues prevent me from traveling. As is often the case we regret not spending more time with those we care so much about before they leave us. Take care Marla.Your friend Sarge."
"Epitaph on a Friend An honest man here lies at rest, The friend of man, the friend of truth, The friend of age, and guide of youth: Few hearts like his, with virtue warm\'d, Few heads with knowledge so inform\'d; If there\'s another world, he lives in bliss; If there is none, he made the best of this. Robert Burns Marla--our hearts and many hugs go out to you and all the families you and Mark are connected to. Sending you long distance love and warmth!"
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you Marla. The entire VandenBerg family and the Knight family will suffer Mark\'s loss. May he rest in peace."
"Dear Marla, While I haven\'t known you and Mark for very long, this I do know, you and Mark had a very special love for each other and that is very rare these days. I hope you find some comfort in knowing this. His kindness will be missed by all. Love, Laura Patten"
"Mark, Now that you are flying with the angels, next time I am sinking out on unlandable terrain, would you mind kicking off a thermal for me. Much appreciated. My sincere condolences to Marla and all off Mark\'s family."
"My thoughts and prayers go out to this whole wonderful family. I hope that gentle reminders of Mark find all of you frequently. With love, The Caves"
"My dear, dear friend, Marla, I am so sorry for your loss. Our friendship has lasted over many years and many miles. I came to know Mark through our long distance conversations over the years. I know that he was your best friend and soul mate. I am so happy that your dreams of \"dragonfly\" came true for you and Mark. I carry you both in my heart at this time. I hope you and his family and friends find some consolation as you gather to celebrate his life, relationships and accomplishments and all those he touched. Love you, Colleen"
"Marla, my heart goes out to you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Cris"
"Dear Marla, We are so sorry for your loss. You and Mark had a hallmark loving relationship - you set an example for many. We miss Mark, mourn his death and wish you the best possible as you move forward. The world has lost a beautiful presence. Love and condolences, Karyn Gitlis and Phil Douglass"
"Dear Jerry and Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time. Condolences to you and your family. Chris Brodsky"
"Jennifer, We are sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time."
"Marla, Please accept my heartfelt sorrow at your loss of Mark. He truly was your soul mate. May God be with you and comfort you during this time of grief."
"Dear Marla -- you are in our thoughts and prayers. Sending you hugs."
"Our deepest sympathy Marla. We are stunned and saddened at the loss of our friend and neighbor. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. We hope to make the service on Sunday. Bill and Sylvia"
"Mark\'s smile and friendliness will be missed. You were both great neighbors and I miss you"
"Mark was a true adventurer, it is so difficult to grasp that he is no longer with us. He knew the risks, but I feel sure there was no special reason on this particular occasion... So good to have known you, including an occasion in Casey\'s a few years ago when you were mourning a hang gliding friend who had made a simple mistake and paid the ultimate price, and you were the first on the scene. Marla and you were in our thoughts before the fateful day, and we were looking forward to meeting up again after a long gap. Our thoughts are with Marla and Mark\'s family now, and we\'ll see some of you on Sunday."
"We feel like we knew both of you for a long time. I\'ve missed looking across the street and knowing you were there since we moved. Our hearts go out to you and your family. Mark, your smile and friendliness will be missed."
"I am so sorry to hear about your loss. We will all miss Mark. My prayers are with you and your family."
"We will surely miss the long conversations about operating a hang gliding flight school. Our condolences to Marla, Sarah and everyone else going through a hard time right now. Tiki and Bart"
"Dear Marla I am so sorry. I pray that you will endure the difficult time and soon be comforted by loving memories."
"I am so sorry to hear about Mark\'s passing. My prayers are with your entire family. God bless you and your family. Becky Nenni"
"Mark, I will miss our wonderful conversations, an evening tow up in a gentle breeze with you pacing my descent, texts from you discussing the weather, camping in my trailer at Sonora Wings to fly with you the next day, the evening dinners at any nearby mexican food restaurant at the end of a flying day with all who were there. I will miss your advice and insights and most of all your sense of humor, your laugh and mannerisms. We don\'t have that many true and dependable friends in this world, I am so grateful that you were one of them to me. I look forward to the day we meet again and to many wonderful future conversations and an eternal friendship. I will be there for Marla. Thank you for all the wonderful times."
"We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Mark will be missed and we will be thinking of you all in this time of sorrow."
"Our hearts go out to the Knight family on the loss of your loved one. Please know that you will be in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We pray that God will bring you peace as you always remember and celebrate Mark\'s life. Peace and Goodness, The Parish Staff St. Margaret Mary Parish Algonquin, IL"
"Marla - Please accept my condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Betsy"
"I did not know Mark at all but for years have heard \"Ashfork\" stories from my dear friend Bethany. The outdoor adventures, the shared meals and holidays, and perhaps a shared adult beverage or two! Mark will be missed tremendously. My deepest condolences to his circle of loving family & friends."
"My heart goes out to you Marla; and all of your family. Words cannot express our sorrow. Love, Denise"