 Born December 15, 1913 Paul, affectionately known as Papa, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 17, 2008. In the path of his service to Jesus, he met and married Christine Marie Yahnig on November 27, 1947 who survives (just shy of 61 years). They have 9 sons who survive. John Clayton and his wife Anne Coleman, Joseph Layton and his wife Nina Taylor, David Wesley and his wife Marilyn Miller, Thomas Harry and his wife Barbara Wick, Timothy Larry and his wife Anne Krutulis, Mark Allen and his wife Andrea "Sissy" Fortson, Stephen Paul all of Staunton, Virginia. Nathan Albert and his wife Karen Davis of Ridgeway, Virginia, and Daniel George and his wife Linda Marie Zauner of Richmond, Virginia.
He was born the eldest of 11 children of the late George Henry Knopp and Bessie Field Black Knopp on December 15, 1913. He was predeceased by two brothers, Mark L. Knopp and Dr. James M. Knopp and one sister Alice Rebecca Knopp Phillippe wife of Wilmer Phillippe who survives and a great grandson Matthew Eoin Robson. He is survived by 4 brothers, J. Philip and his wife Judith, Hiram M. and his wife Jen, Daniel W., and Simon W. and his wife Patsy, all of Staunton, Virginia. He is also survived by 3 sisters, Elizabeth Rodgers of Minden, Nevada, Anna Ruth Rathburn of Staunton, and Rhoda Knopp Mayes wife of Jimmy of Waynesboro. He also has 27 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Paul of Richmond, J. Michael and wife Jen and son Eli of Dayton, Ohio, Issac in Japan, Andrew at Virginia Tech, Aaron, Peter, Caleb, Zachary of Staunton, Drs. Joy and Steven Greer and children Victoria, Rhys, and Teagan of Cape Carteret, North Carolina, Joel and his wife Jeni and children Margeaux, Miller, and Elle of Staunton, Virginia, Samuel and his wife Brandy and children Jonathan, Ethan, and Esther of Greeneville, Tennessee, Nathanael and his wife Jackie and son Gavin of Weyers Cave, Virginia, Christy and her husband Jason Robson and children Tristan, Cooper, and Simon, Melissa and her husband Seth Hankee and son Judah, of Staunton, Virginia, Laura and her husband Tony Avnaim, of Ohio, Benjamin, Emily, Wesley, Jonathan, Hannah and her husband Sam Hickin, Keziah, Elijah, and Isaiah of Staunton, Brittany, Kaitlin, Hunter, and Asher of Ridgeway, Virginia. He leaves behind a legacy of family and friends who have been touched by his love over many years. His love for the Lord and for life was apparent to all who knew him. His stature was not large but he was a giant of a man. He will be greatly missed. |
Please leave comments about your memories of Papa Knopp
thatramongirl wrote:
Love to you all.
Papa, Mama, and CFC have been some of my life's greatest gifts - Papa shepherded us all in how to follow Christ. Will never forget his obedience, his humility, and his little sayings: "It's all gonna burn someday," and, with quavering voice, "God loves us!"
11/18/2008 7:00:23 AM
americangirl1 wrote:
I have the greatest memories of Mama and Papa and growing up with the example they set for us. I know how ready Papa was to go home and I felt this amazing peace and sense of happiness for him when I heard the news yesterday. Sadness is for the ones left behind, but take comfort- they all know they will see him again someday....enjoying the beauty of heaven!
11/18/2008 7:56:50 AM
barstowra2002 wrote:
Papa Knopp has continued to be a great inspiration to me although I moved from the area. My fondest memories and greatest spiritual lessons growing in the Lord have been the teachings from Papa. He will surely be missed, but we have the comfort of knowing there will be a reunion one day. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. God bless each and every one.
11/18/2008 9:19:01 AM
SunnySmile wrote:
What a beautiful story of a life well lived. I didn't know this man, or his family, and I can see that it is my loss.
"What you leave behind is not what is engraved on stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others"
~Pericles~
11/18/2008 11:57:35 AM
jstasec wrote:
Thank you Papa Knopp, and Mama Knopp, for the many memories of hospitality, love, and good old fashioned christian etiquette. I am so thankful to have known you and have enjoyed coming across the yard whenever I visited granna. You are one of my greatest role models and will continue to be longer after we all leave this world. I love you both and the Knopp family very much, and will miss you Papa Knopp. Sarah (Crosby) Sayre
11/18/2008 1:11:35 PM
Telina77 wrote:
Papa Knopp just brings smiles to my face and warth to my heart!!! He was the best they come and gave me the inspiration to believe as a small child I'll never forget him GOD Bless, MaMa Knopp and Family are in my prayers!!! Telina Lawson
11/18/2008 6:18:43 PM
Dmarsh72 wrote:
We attended many praise and worship services at Papa and Mama Knopp's 30 some years ago. They were warm and wonderful examples of Christianity and remained that way all these years. Sorry to see Papa go, but we know where he is and will see him again someday.
11/18/2008 6:40:38 PM
WePeople wrote:
My name was put in one of those books in 1975. Me & my family have many, many fond memories there. My brothers were there all the time! Papa Knopp will always be in each one of our hearts. He's in the best place ever and praising our Lord & Savior. Praise God! Thank you, Lord Jesus, for Papa Knopp and sharing him with each one of us.
11/18/2008 8:28:29 PM
kutlessfan0760 wrote:
I go to Grace Christian Middle School(8th) and the Bible class talked today about it and we concluded that Papa Knopp was a good Christian man and he was ready to go to Heaven and see God.
11/18/2008 9:35:43 PM
JaneChandler wrote:
I thankful Papa and Mama Knopp why? i was in Virginia School for Deaf and Blind i go to Papa and Mama Knopp house for church in home when i was 12 year olds i still MISS Papa;s smile i thankful them let deaf go church at papa and mama Knopp
i will miss him
i pray Knopp's family and Mama Knopp ILY :0)
11/19/2008 1:57:36 AM
Papa Knopp, truly the Lord's servant
November 21, 2008
When you were around this man, you could feel the love of Christ just coming from him and reaching out to you.
My husband and I, along with another couple, visited Christian meetings in his home weekly, and this was where I saw what true "worship of God" is. We stayed with our own church membership and only went to their church for a couple of years. Sometimes I feel like had we stayed, our Christian growth would today be a lot stronger.
This man will be missed by many people. He was a quiet man, yet his presence was so strong when he walked in a room. He was truly loved by all, and he loved everyone.
The Knopps opened their home to many, some young people who would have probably been in a lot of hardship had it not been for their loving spirit and kindness, and they would show their love of Christ and what he could do for them. Papa Knopp and his family have led many lives to Christ and showed them what the love of Christ is really all about.
I know his family will miss him, but I also am sure they are celebrating their father's arrival to the place which he lived his life to go, Heaven, and I am sure that as he took that step up to Heaven's gates, Jesus was waiting for him smiling and hands out to reach for Papa Knopp and hold him close in his warm loving arms, the same arms Papa Knopp held out to so many souls here on earth and showed them the love of Christ and what he could do for them.
I have never met a man or woman with the love and spirit of Christ radiating from them as Papa Knopp, his wife and his family has for everyone. Christ was his life, and he lived for Christ. I am thankful this Thanksgiving season for the brief time I had sharing in the love of Christ with this man and helping me know what a true Christian life holds for all.
Thank you Papa Knopp, you will be missed.
GLORIA CRAIG Swoope
RHR1952 wrote:
I knew Paul Knopp when i was a young boy growing up on Middlebrook Ave. His oldest sons and a few others played a lot of football in thier front yard( next to what is now staunton building supply) I knew his father and some of his brothers. Being around Paul and his his family are some of my fondest memorys. God bless you paul. Heaven is a greater place with you there.
ronald shelton
I am sorry for your loss and this time of grieving, but we know he is in a better place and one day we all will be together again. What joy he must be experiencing right now.
11/21/2008
Steve Hodges
Mark and family; My deepest condolences at the passing of your father. What a legacy of love for Christ and others your Papa left with you. I pray that same Jesus will bring you comfort when needed and courage to carry on the mission of love and forgiveness that your father lived and preached. Blessings
11/21/2008
Rob & Pam, Kelly, Paul and Melody Stoneburner
Dear Knopp Family, What a joy it has been to know Papa, and to witness his walk with Christ through his love for his wife, family and all who he came in contact with. We have many fond memories over the years, and will never forget his kind and gentle ways. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. We celebrate the fact that we will all be together again in heaven one day. With love, The Stoneburner Family
11/21/2008
TERRY & MICHAEL HOGSETT
HOW DO YOU DEFINE LOVE FOR CHRIST AND EACH OTHER? YOU LOOK AT MAMA & PAPA KNOPP. WHAT AN INSPIRATION YOU BOTH AND BEEN TO ME AND AN EXAMPLE TO MICHAEL ON HOW HE SHOULD BE AS A HUSBAND. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR SMILES AND WATCHING YOU BOTH ALWAYS HOLDING HANDS. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL.
11/21/2008
Mark and Diane Yasuhara
Papa Knopp was one of the great men of God. He exemplified so many of the virtues of Jesus, not the least of which was humility - a humility born out of the humiliation of his own flesh, much like Jesus. We are only two of the many, many who, out of the humility of Paul's life, have come to know the quiet sweetness and security of Jesus Himself.
11/21/2008
Marianne and Mike Dunham
Our deepest condolences to Christine and the family. Although we met Paul only once, we were impressed with his kind spirit. His passing is a great loss to the family and to our community.
11/21/2008
Beth Hurst
To All of the Knopp family, I am sorry I can not be there with you in this time of sorrow and blessing, but know that my heart and prayers go out to each of you. Love Beth
11/20/2008
Kim McKay
Pappa will be missed by all who knew him. Yet as we mourn, he is rejoicing with our heavenly Father. Everyone who met him was touched by his humility and love. All of us are so thankful to have been blessed by his Godly wisdom and meekness. We continue to pray for Mama and the entire family. I thank all of you for carrying on Papa's memory by how each of you, as family members, portray not only the grace and purity of your earthly father, but of our Father in heaven. God bless you all!
11/19/2008
Chip and Suzanne Sayre
To Mama & rest of Knopp Family: Our prayers are with you during this time. We have fond memories of Papa. He always had a smile on his face. His love for the Lord has been an inspiration to our family. We thank God for Papa and Mama and the way both have touched our lives.
11/19/2008
John and Juanita (Detweiler) Jutzi
Our deepest sympathies to the entire Knopp family. This is such a bittersweet time for all of you -- bitter because it is always difficult to say goodbye to one we love, sweet because we know our loved one is finally Home with the Lord and our goodbyes are only temporary. My parents (Raymond and Gladys Detweiler) were honored to entertain Paul and Christine and a number of the boys in their home in the late 60's/early 70's and enjoyed sweet fellowship with them and with Mark and Diane Yasuhara. I'm sure Bro. Paul and my parents are having a wonderful time praising the Lord together in His presence, and waiting for the rest of us to join them.
11/19/2008
Paul Diggs
I wish I could join the celebration on Saturday. It is always a joy to share in the going home of a believer. One fond remembrance I have of my distant cousin, is when we visited the family in Kansas in 1959. I was then 16 years old and enjoyed visiting with all the boys. I was traveling across country with my parents, Howard and Pearl Diggs. We were returning from visiting my oldest sister, Audrey, who lives in Southern California. May God comfort the family and I'll see you all again someday.
11/18/2008
Keith Myers
Many years ago my parents enjoyed church and fellowship with the Knopps at their church. We always enjoyed going and visiting after the services. My father was a minister in the valley and good friends with pastor Knopp. His name was Rev. Herb Myers.
11/18/2008
Brownie Miller
Mark, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Its tough to lose a parent no matter how prepared we are. I know he is in a better place and smiling on such a large loving family that is his. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you while you are out. Brownie
11/18/2008
Lori Whisman Caldwell
Papa- the head of the household that touched my life so young and memories that I will never forget. I know heaven rejoices and sings "well done, good and faithful servant". I still hear him say-"Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!"
11/18/2008
sarah and peyton brown
Our thoughts and prayers go out to mama,his family and church family. He will be greatly missed here, but is rejoicing in heaven with Jesus. We will all get to see him again one day. Praise God!!!
11/18/2008
Robert Davis
Condolences to the entire family in this time of loss. It is indeed good to know that we will see him again when we too join him in the Lord. I'll always remember the times of my early youth at the family house. My prayers and thoughts are with you all. God bless!!
11/18/2008
Susan and Jim Cox
Daniel, we're sorry to hear of your loss as well as your families loss.
11/18/2008
Teresa Hylton
My thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time. Your father sounds like such a nice man, I'm sure he will be missed. Sadly, Teresa Hylton
11/18/2008
Margaret Pritchett
Nathan and Karen, Chet and I were saddened to hear of your loss. From reading the obituary, we both know he was a godly man and is now in his heavenly home with Christ. May the thought of rejoicing again with your dad one day bring you comfort. Chet and Margaret Pritchett
11/18/2008
Susan Carlisle Bell
"Forgive everybody everything, it sets you free to love them" Papa loved to say this and it has been a cornerstone of my life with the Lord. To each and every one of you, I send my love and hugs for Momma. You taught me how to wash dishes for the Lord, you would be saying "thank you Jesus" the entire time! So many thankful memories. I loved the smell of wheat bread and the laughter over the simplest thing. I remember Papa reading about keeping bees and for some reason, we all thought it was hysterical. Elizabeth commented:" what a wonderful life well lived" We send lots of love and prayers. I am a different person because of Momma and Papa and their family.
11/18/2008
John Davis
Ny prayers are with the entire Knopp family. Papa Knopp was a great person and will always be with you.
11/18/2008
Greta & Mike Templin
Tim you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
11/18/2008
Christy Ramon
Dear Mama and Family, Have been praying for you, Papa, and CFC during these last few months. Bless you all for your love through Jesus; through Papa and the righteous seeds he sowed, I have been encouraged and have learned that we can live like Christ, no matter what. All my love.
11/18/2008
Swift & Joyce Fortson
A wonderful Husband,Father Pastor, and Grandfather and a true man of God..his life blessed many people and a was guiding light for his family, as well as all who knew him. He will be missed greatly by all who came in contact with him during his gracious life.
11/18/2008
Sarah Dabney Bendure
Knopp Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you. What an awesome man Papa was and what an awesome time Our Savior must be having with him. I love you all and remember fondly time I spent with Papa and your family. Prayers of peace and comfort to you. Sarah
11/17/2008
Judy Yahnig Greene
Dear Family, I am so blessed to have had have Uncle Paul as a wonderful Christian role model. He has been an inspiration in my life since I was a very small child. His influence will live on in my life and the lives of those that he touched while on earth. May God's presence be near to you now and forever. Love and Prayers, Judy
11/17/2008
Bill & Ann Ashworth
Psalm 116:15 "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." A wonderful man of God ... to God be the Glory! Jesus is Lord!
11/17/2008
Staff of Charlton and Groome
We light this candle to honor the heritage that Mr. Knopp has passed on to his family and to our community. May God bless you.
11/17/200