Charles Knighten

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VILLE PLATTE It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Charles Ray Knighten announces his passing on Friday, October 11, 2013 at Lafayette General Medical Center due to complications after open heart surgery. He was sixty seven years old. Charles life will be celebrated during a Memorial Service at 12:00 PM Friday, October 18, 2013 at Ardoins Funeral Home Chapel of Ville Platte with Fr. Joshua Guillory as Celebrant.
A devoted husband, father, brother and uncle, Charles leaves behind his loving wife of forty four 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 but 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.
Charles was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Ville Platte, La. and Northwestern State College in Natchitoches, La. For thirty two 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, Charles performed as a keyboard and bass player with numerous Louisiana Swamp Pops 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. Charles performed his last show with Knight Train just two days before entering the hospital. He told his son, on many occasions, Ill play music until I die. Indeed, he did.
He will now reunite in Heaven with his parents, Willis and Ella Deville Knighten their meeting will most certainly be a joyous one.
At the request of the family, visitation will be held at Ardoins Funeral Home of Ville Platte beginning at 8:00 AM Friday, October 18, 2013 and will continue until the time of the service. A Rosary will be recited in his honor at 11:30 AM 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.
Family and friends may view the online obituary andor send words of comfort to the Knightens at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com
All arrangements have been entrusted to Ardoins Funeral Home of Ville Platte, 3373632181.

Visitation

Ardoins Funeral Home
709 W. Main St.
Ville Platte, LA  70586
Friday, October 18, 2013
8 AM to time of service

Service

Memorial Service

Ardoin Funeral Home
709 W. Main St.
Ville Platte, LA  70586
Friday, October 18, 2013
12:00 PM

Rosary

Ardoin Funeral Home
709 W. Main St.
Ville Platte, LA  70586
Friday, October 18, 2013
11:30 AM