Birth date: Feb 16, 1925 Death date: Nov 26, 2018
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Mr. M. Paul Knapp, minister, age 94, of Elizabethton, TN was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, November 26, 2018. He was born in Alton, IL the son of the late Charles and Alice Knapp.Mr. Knapp joined the Marines at the age of seventeen. He was a Line Sergeant of a machine gun squad and served in Bougainville, was wounded by shrapnel on Guam and had a gunshot wound to the chest on Okinawa. He was discharged in 1945. The family moved to Chicago to join two older brothers. He joined the Englewood Christian Church a year later. He along with two friends were called to the ministry in 1949: Leo Ernst, to be a song leader and youth director and Al Zimmerman to be a missionary to South Africa. Their minister suggested that they go to Milligan College and all three graduated in 1953. Later, Mr. Knapp earned his Master’s Degree in Education and began teaching at Hampton High School. He taught there for thirty-four years.Mr. Knapp also ministered to Wood Howell Christian Church in Virginia, Southside Christian Church in Elizabethton and Limestone Cove Christian Church in Unicoi. He met his wife of sixty years at Doe River Baptist Church on a blind date. They were married in 1951 by Arthur Fineout.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Leona Fineout Knapp in 2011; three brothers; Russel Knapp, Ivan Knapp and Ray Knapp and a sister, Ruth Knapp. Those left to cherish his memory include a daughter, Deborah Starr Knapp, Elizabethton and a son, David Paul Knapp and wife Marjorie, Gray; three grandchildren, Erika Nicole Hale and husband Brad, Brayden Alexander Knapp and Deborah Anne Knapp, all of Gray; a great-grandson, Colin Hale and two great-granddaughters, Danika Hale and Emilia Hale. One sister, Roberta Hayes, Montica, CA and several nieces and nephews also survives.Committal and entombment service for Mr. M. Paul Knapp, minister will be conducted 11:00 A.M. Friday, November 30, 2018 in the Mausoleum of Peace of Happy Valley Memorial Park with Mr. Michael Klaus, minister officiating. Music will be under the direction of Mr. Scott Reynolds. Military honors will be accorded by the Carter County Honor Guard. Active pallbearers will be members of the Men’s Class of First Christian Church, Elizabethton. Those attending are asked to meet at the cemetery at 10:50 A.M. on Friday for the committal service.Read Obituary
Mr. Knapp was a blessing to so many, including me. He baptized me and then ten years later married Rex and me. The last time I saw him was at Rex’s celebration oh his life. Mr. Knapp drove to that service...at age 93! May God grant His peace to Deborah, David, and their family.
I had Mr. Knapp for freshman science and sophomore english . I also had him for rocket club . He was always good to me , Teachers like him are few and far between these days , He will be missed . So sorry for your loss . You will be in my prayers,
Mr. Knapp was one of my favorite teacher during high school at Hampton High. He was a fun loving teacher and his sternness and acceptance of all students made him a favorite teacher. All my siblings and I enjoyed his science classes and his personality. He was a man of his word. So glad we crossed paths in this lifetime and looking forward to the same in heaven one day. My prayers and blessings for his family are being sent your way. Know your memories help sustain you as the days come and go with the Faith in the Lord you will continue being the family he loved. God Bless and Keep you all.
In Christ Love: Glenda Gail Whitehead McCracken; Orfordville, WI 53576
Dear family,
Our hearts break for you and the loss of a wonderful man. Thank you for sharing your sweet father with the many students he taught during his career. I had the privilege of having both of your parents as teachers and will forever remember the kindness and love they extended to each child. May the Lord comfort you during this difficult time and be with each one you in the days to come.
LeDonna (Shell) Hughes
Mr. Knapp was a very kind, considerate teacher, he was also a friend to the students that he taught, I remember him very fondly. Tomi Helms Crowe
He was one of my favorite teachers. he was kind, always had time for anyone, always smiling. I will always hold a special place in my heart, and pray God has a special place for him in heaven. God bless you Mr. Knapp. You were loved here on earth the short time we had with you. See you in heaven my friend. God be with and bless your family.
Mr. Knapp was my Science teacher at Hampton High when I was a freshman in 1969. He was so kind and compassionate to all his students. Mr. Knapp certainly had a calling from his Lord and Savior to teach the Gospel and also to teach, mould, and influence his students. He will be greatly missed. He was one of the teachers I never, nor will I ever, forget. Mr. Knapp you are now beginning your new and eternal, peaceful life. Rest In Peace. Debbie Johnson Williams - HHS Class of 1972.
So very sorry for your lost, Deborah. He was such a Godly and kind man.
I was a student of Mr Knapp's at Hampton High in 68 freshman science ,he was a favorite teacher of mine, always the same pleasant demeanor, Later when I was a senior he asked me to ride to Asheville, NC. to pick up a 1960 Chevrolet for his son, he had bought, I accepted but was thinking he would quiz me all the way there,not , we talked about cars, and things we saw along the way, It was a fun day.Mr Knapp was a super nice guy. I feel Heaven is a richer place with Him there.
