Don Knightstep
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"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7.
Don Louis Knightstep, 78, loving husband, amazing father and grandfather, and devoted friend, passed away in Plano, Texas on September 25, 2021, after a courageous battle with a debilitating lung disease.
Don was born in 1943 in Big Spring, Texas where he developed a strong and independent West Texas spirit and many friendships that he cherished throughout his life. After graduating from Big Spring High School in 1961, he attended Howard County Junior College and in 1971 graduated from the University of North Texas with a Business Administration degree.
Over his 35-year career at Texas Instruments, Don held multiple managerial positions and filled the role of Producibility and Fabrication Manager at the time of his retirement in 2001.
As a proud American and Texan, Don served for six years as a soldier in the Texas National Guard.
Don married his college sweetheart, Stacy Lee Underwood, in Dallas in 1965, and after their daughter Kim was born in 1966, they moved to Garland, eventually settling in Plano in 1971 and built the home where they lived for 50 years.
Don and Stacy were charter members of Christ United Methodist Church of Plano in 1973 and through the years also shared the love and community of many pastors and friends at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas.
Don was an active athlete and sportsman whose many interests included running, racquetball, hunting, boating and waterskiing. He was a shrewd negotiator and avid trader of cars, knives, coins and firearms. For many years, Don spent his weekends at trading events in North Texas and beyond where he developed many lifelong friendships. As father to Kim and grandfather to Devin and Gavin, he enjoyed attending their many sporting events and music and dance performances, often acting as official or unofficial team photographer.
Don loved his vacations with family and friends where he developed cherished memories, whether skiing in Colorado, swimming in Hawaii, or watching space shuttle launches in Florida.
Don is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Stacy Knightstep of Plano, his only daughter, Kim Knightstep Monk and her husband David Monk of Dallas, his grandsons Devin Monk and Gavin Monk of Dallas, his sister JoNell Howell of Big Spring, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father DL Knightstep and mother Ada Alene Davidson Knightstep, formerly of Big Spring, and his parents-in-law James F. Underwood and Billie L. Underwood, formerly of Waxahachie.
A service to celebrate Don's life will be held on Friday, October 8, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary of St. Andrew United Methodist Church, located at 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75093, with a reception following.
Don's family thanks the many friends who loved and supported them throughout his life, and especially during his illness.