Your news, sports and entertainment leader for Evangeline Parish, La.

Charles Ray Knighten

Charles Ray Knighten

August 7, 1946 - October 11, 2013
A memorial service will be held for Charles Ray Knighten, 67, of Ville Platte, at the Ardoin’s Funeral Home Chapel in Ville Platte at 12 noon, Friday, October 18.
A devoted husband, father, brother and uncle, Mr. Knighten died Friday, October 11, 2013, at Lafayette General Medical Center due to complications following open heart surgery. He was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Ville Platte and Northwestern State College in Natchitoches. For 32 years, he worked as a band director and music teacher for schools in Opelousas, Oakdale, Bunkie, Vidrine and Chataignier. Even after retiring, he found time, in recent years, to teach several days a month at Pine Prairie High School.
Charles had many hobbies, including gardening and fishing, but his greatest love in life was music. He began taking piano lessons as a young boy and never stopped playing. He became a professional musician while still in college. Throughout the years, he performed as a keyboard and bass player with numerous Louisiana Swamp Pop legends, and he went on to become one of the most well-respected musicians in the area. In 1999, Charles formed the band Knight Train with his wife and son. Their family band became a very popular Louisiana act, performing shows throughout the Gulf Coast area and beyond. He performed his last show with Knight Train just two days before entering the hospital. He told his son on many occasions, “I’ll play music until I die.”  Indeed, he did.
Survivors include his loving wife of 44 years, Janie Reid Knighten of Ville Platte; and his only son, Todd Knighten, also of Ville Platte. He will be sadly missed by his sister, Dorothy Duplechain of Ville Platte; and his memory will be carried on by his niece and nephews, Nancy Duplechain, Michael Duplechain, Cliff Harding, David Harding and Dale Harding. He will be fondly remembered by all who were lucky enough to have crossed paths with him during his journey here on earth.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Willis and Ella Deville Knighten.
At the request of the family, visitation will be held at Ardoin’s Funeral Home of Ville Platte beginning at 8 a.m., Friday, October 18, and will continue until the time of the service. A Rosary will be recited in his honor at 11:30 a.m. Friday morning. The Knighten family asks that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to a charity of your choice in memory of Charles.          
Father Joshua Guillory will officiate.
Family and friends may view the online obituary and/or sign the guestbook at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com.
Ardoin’s Funeral Home of Ville Platte will be in charge of arrangements.
 

Our website requires visitors to log in to view the best local news from Evangeline Parish. Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe today!

Follow Us

Subscriber Links