James Stanley Knight

James Stanley Knight, age 74 of Clarkesville, GA, passed away Monday, October 25, 2010, at his residence following a courageous and graceful battle with Lewy Body Disease.
Born in 1936, he was the eighth child of Floyd and Eula Knight's 11 children. He left home in the 1950s to volunteer for the Naval Reserves. While on the West Coast, he attended classes at the University of Washington in Seattle. After returning to Habersham County, he began a varied career path that included work as a sawmiller, land developer, life insurance salesman, radio disc jockey and small business owner.
He founded and operated several retail businesses throughout the county in the 1960s and 70s, including the Double Eagle service station and café, located on Highway 441 North. He also owned and operated the Zip Co-ed café in Demorest, the Teen 'N' Twenty across from the then-NEG Trade School, and the Family Funtime entertainment center in Clarkesville.
In 1976, Knight founded Car Wash Marketing to build and service carwashes throughout the region. He and his brother, Charles also owned and operated two carwashes in Clarkesville and one in Demorest.
He was a member of Clarkesville Baptist Church where he served as Sunday School Teacher, Royal Ambassadors Leader and a member of the Board of Trustees. He was a devoted family man who enjoyed the outdoors and reading. Mr. Knight had an exceptional gift for telling wonderful stories. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a sister, Carol Knight.
Surviving are wife, Julia Gibbs Knight of Clarkesville, GA; daughters and sons-in-law, Areatha & Robert Ketch of Clarkesville, GA and Tami & Doug Butts of Ila, GA; sisters, Pat Peck of Demorest, GA, Ginger Bonnette of Clarkesville, GA, Jackie Eastham of Cairo, GA, Brenda Graham of Cairo, GA and Suzanne Dover of Clarkesville, GA; brothers, Orman Knight of Clarkesville, GA, Brantley Knight of Atlanta, GA, John Knight of Demorest, GA and Charles Knight of Clarkesville, GA; grandchildren, Ellawyn, George and Sam Ketch and Patrick and Rachel Butts.
Funeral services are 11:00 am Friday, October 29, 2010, at Clarkesville Baptist Church with Rev. Grady Walden officiating. All friends and family are requested to meet at the church at 10:30 am on Friday. A private interment will follow the service. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2-4 & 6-8 pm on Thursday. Flowers are accepted or donations may be made, in memory of Stanley, to Clarkesville Baptist Church, PO Box 667, Clarkesville, GA 30523.
An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.