Kent Laymon Knicely

Professionally, Kent worked in energy generation his entire career. Kent began his career as a division plant manager with West Virginia’s Monongahela Power Company, keeping the lights on for fellow West Virginians. After 25 years of faithful service, Kent retired from their subsequent corporation, Allegheny Power. Still too young to completely retire, he became a consultant to various energy companies.

Kent was recruited to the University of Virginia to manage their heating and steam generation plants and a $200 million capital improvement project until his retirement in 2017.

He donated over 50 units of blood as he was a universal donor with the ability for his blood to be used for neonatal infants and children.

Kent volunteered 10 days a month for the Blue Ridge Food Bank, Orange County Food Bank and Reva Food Bank in Central Virginia area. He often said, at the end of a day of volunteering at Blue Ridge Food Bank, he had lifted 3,000 pounds. Not all at one time, he confessed, rather 100 boxes weighing 30 pounds each. He greeted everyone with the same gentle smile that made picking up food for their family a nice experience.

Kent loved motorcycles and has ridden since his teenage years. His last bike, in a long collection of machines, was a Harley Tri Glide Trike. He “Triked out” to take the love of his life, Elizabeth, on rides around the eastern United States. Last week, Kent and Elizabeth rode Tail of the Dragon, Back of the Dragon, Great Smoky Mountain Loop.

He cherished spending time with his friends, Robert Huffman and Roy Whitlock, riding the mountain and twisty paths of West Virginia and Virginia. Kent and Elizabeth RV everywhere with the Trike in tow.

As an avid woodworker, Kent reclaimed storm damaged trees and made a series of “farm tables” and benches. Kent built and upgraded all his homes. Kent completed many upgrades and renovation projects for his children, friends, and neighbors.

He donated his woodwork to Lightridge High School Marching Band fundraisers for his daughters, Nicole, and Cameron. He constructed the props for the LHS marching band and indoor color guard. He was dedicated to watching his daughter perform flute and color guard at every home high school and WVU football game.

He has been an avid sportsman and hunter all his life. Kent last went shooting with his son, William, at the Navy Nuclear Submarine Base in King’s Bay, Georgia. Kent loved being with his kids attending marching band, fly-ins, school events and hosting parties for all their friends, AKA the basement gang.

Kent last hosted 18 college students to dinner of venison stew and breakfast bar of omelets and waffles. He enjoyed playing cards, at home and at the yearly gathering at Camp Knicely.

Kent is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Elizabeth; son, William Cairns, serving on the USS Wyoming, and wife, Kit Cairns; daughters, Nicole, who is a pilot at Averett University, and Cameron, who is studying criminology and forensics at West Virginia University. Let’s Go Mountaineers!

Kent is also survived by brother, James Knicely, his wife, Charlene Knicely, and daughter, Dawn Knicely; brother, Rodney Knicely, and wife, Nancy Knicely, son, Morgan Knicely, and wife, Lynell Hunt, daughter, Shaunda Knicely, and husband, Matthew Macomber, and daughters, Elizabeth Gardiner and Rebecca Gardiner; daughter, Hillary Paschall, and husband, Kenny Paschall, daughter, Kendra Paschall, and sons Chase Paschall and Jake Paschall; and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Laymon and Emma Maria Knicely.

A memorial service is planned for those who knew and loved him on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at noon at Duck Run Natural Cemetery, 1886 Windswept Lane, Penn Laird, VA 22846. Kent and Elizabeth ask that instead of flowers, donations be sent to: Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Condolences may be shared at kygers.com.