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Neil Wallace McKnight was born in Los Angeles County on the 18th of March, 1947. I think they moved to Hemet when we were in Jr High--like 7th grade. I know he was on my bus route and lived out on Mayberry or Whittier by Mike Corn in one of those houses that the roof almost reached down to the ground. Very cool, and I thought he was very cool, being from the big city. He had a brother, Doug who wasn't so cool, so it took a long time for some people to warm up to him. I grabbed a couple of dates before he got real popular, though--lucky me.
When I went to look for him tonight, he was easy to find, as was his brother--lots of documentation but nothing to fill in the story. He died June 8, 1984 in Walworth, Wisconsin. No cause of death, no record of marriage or children. That doesn't mean it didn't happen, just not in California or Nevada or Wisconsin. He wasn't buried in a veterans grave, but that doesn't mean he wasn't one. His brother Doug, died in 2008 in Indio, CA. He did marry.
If anybody knows more, please let me know. I feel like I am missing a little bit more of my heart tonight. Goodbye Neil.RIP Janie
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Don Miller
Bob Lyle who lives in Hemet, as well as his twin brother Ronnie, told me when I found him working at Harbor freight store that he heard that Neil was killed in a dozer accident. Maybe a rollover, but, Bob told me that it happened in Victoria B.C. So I don't know?~! Neil was a heavy equiptment operator as was his father. Neil has a younger sister Margaret, maybe she is around someplace?~! We lived on McDowell St. off Cornell, Neils family lived on Merriwood, one street south, Between Mayberry and Whittier. He my brother Den and Bob and Ronnie used to bum rides to school with me since I had a car and we were "neighbors". Thanks Den!Neil was rough and tough! We had fun goin to Dick Dale concerts at the National Guard Armory @ Fairmont Park in Riverside, Surfin, and goofin at the "Plunge". Neil was a Viet Nam and Army Veteran.
Neil was a Bad ---! but he was such a likable "character!"
Hope somone knows more about him after he left Hemet! Don Miller '64.
Jane Councilman (Weaver)
Thanks Don, maybe he was buried in Wisconsin--or that was where US Social Security was sent. JanieJudi Randall (Keller)
I am so saddened to learn of yet another one of our classmates who has passed. I liked him so much - yes he was a "bad boy" but equally as sweet and friendly... I will miss himVern Luna
sad, he died, yes as far as school memory years as both of us trying on the football team defensive guard position, he was a fully packed 200 or so lbs,and me 160 lbs wet, lol, we had what was a 'challege board' aproximately 5 foot long with tape in center, the goal was when the coach blew the whistle to battle pushing, blocking, charging full force a knock your opponent beyond that line or further, real cave man stuff, lol, well it was a 4 or 5 attempt contest,and I remember I at least tied him, but he got me on the last one, there for making first string and starting that weeks game as defensive guard. what was i doing at guard anyway,with all those big gorillas,lol a short time after that, I heard a rumor in the locker room after practice, he wanted to fight me.this greatly upset me, didn't understand why so as he was just finished dressing, I challenged him to a fight right then and there, now I' m not a rowdy guy, just did not like being bullied.I remember his words when he answered, 'later for you man' lol,well later never came, I think he respected me somehow after that, as no more incidents ensued. Ah so many other wonderful memories of those days, and yet never did get in a fight. R.I.P. Neal, I do respect you..
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