Obituary of Marvin Rae KNIGHT

October 30, 1949 – Calgary, Alberta
February 8, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Marvin Rae Knight, beloved husband of Shelley Knight, would like everyone to know that he has taken a social coordinator role up in a better place with old friends and family. He left us on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre at the age of 70 years, with his family by his side. His incredible strength to fight leukemia for the last year was a true example of his character. His infectious smile, open door policy - with a drink of course - and years of community service guarantees him the job.

Marvin was born in Calgary on October 30, 1949 to parents James Robert Knight and Viola Knight (McKay). He married the love of his life, Shelley Geier, on July 22, 1972 in Keoma.  They lived on the family farm west of Beiseker and raised two children, Corine and Michael.  He was very proud to farm with his brother Eldon and his nephew Rob until 2002. He had a passion for combining that continued with helping out his neighbors for another fifteen years. In addition to grain farming, Knight's Angus Farm owned a herd of purebred black angus.  Marvin cherished competing at cattle shows across the west, along with entertaining in the stalls. He spent the last sixteen years doting over his beloved granddaughters, Nicole and Rachel Bushfield and Samantha and Loralei Knight.  He deeply loved his sister Shan and brother Eldon, along with their families.  Time with his family meant everything to him.  

Marvin was a man of family, community and sport. He always enjoyed being the heart of the community - a dedicated 4H leader, decades as a Beiseker Lions Club member, Yankee Valley Horseshoe Club coordinator, Radium camp counselor and Stampede party coordinator.  He was very proud of his competitive curling career, which included his team making it to the Alberta provincial finals in 1982 - back when he said the competition was hard. In addition to curling, Marvin and Shelley were avid fans of the Calgary Flames and enjoyed going with their friends as much as watching the games.  Marvin loved watching his kids and grandkids in their sports and activities - Nicole and Rachel's Airdrie Sting and Zone 2 AA ringette teams and Samantha and Loralei's baseball and volleyball teams and 4H.

Marvin loved the mountains, Disneyland, Maui, Vegas, popcorn and Christmas.  The mountains brought him peace in the final years - whether it was golfing and happy hour with his friends and family in Radium or boating in Sicamous. 

Besides his loving wife Shelley, Marvin is survived by his sister Shan (Judy), his brother Eldon (Darlene), his daughter Corine (Bruce Bushfield), his son Michael (Erin), his granddaughters Nicole and Rachel Bushfield and Samantha and Loralei Knight, his mother-in-law Edna Geier, sister-in-law Heather Watson (Terry), brother-in-law Darren (Nancy) Geier, and many loved family members. 

Marvin was predeceased by his parents JR and Viola Knight, sister-in-law Kathleen Knight and father-in-law Martin Geier.

Marvin will be holding one last party at the Beiseker Community Centre (410 5 Street, Beiseker, Alberta), on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.  We are inviting all his friends and family for food and Bacardi white rum water to celebrate his life.  Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Marvin’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 - 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: 1 (866) 412-4222.  www.albertacancer.ca/memorial. 

The family wants to thank the Hematology staff at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre for all of their incredible and thoughtful care. We also want to thank all of those who donate blood, as this helped extend Marvin's life.

In living memory of Marvin Knight, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB, T2E 2V6,   Telephone: 403-243-8200.