AL McKNIGHT - see new post 8/31 for Services information

[Gene Buchholz]

For those of who who don't know yet, Al and Sue McKnight were in a motorcycle accident on Wednesday night in Tracy. They were returning from a dinner ride and a woman in a pickup truck exited a 76 station and pulled out into oncoming traffic but her vision was blocked by a big rig parked on the side of the road. Three cycles hit the truck. Al was pronounced dead at the scene and Sue was choppered to San Joaquin General in critical condition. She was transported to UC Davis where she is now. Another rider was also seriously injured but we don't have any information on him. A third rider and the driver of the pickup were injured but released that night. Al has helped with our Hook, Line & Sinker weigh-ins and live well checks for the last 12 years. He and Sue recently moved to Modesto, but he still rode up on his cycle to help with the tournament. He was a great person and a good friend and will always be a "Hookrat" and in our thoughts.

For those of you who would like to share some of our memories of Al go to

http://hookproshop.com/al_mcknight/

[Mike]

Thanks Gene. Those pictures really captures "Big Al's" personality. Always a big smile and a "Whats up Slick" every time I would see him. Losing Al really hurts, and he will be missed @ The Hook tournaments where he has been fathfully for the last 12 years.

Rest in peace Big Al.

Slick.

[Hardshell]

Al was a pleasent and helpful gentleman, I personally will miss his smiling face down on the dock.

God Speed Al.

Hardshell-Jailer
aka Steve Greene

[dougholcomb]

Last time I saw Al was at my golf course. I just can't believe he's gone. Al was always carrying a smile and offering a helping hand. May God bless his family during this time.

Doug Holcomb

[mac (Doyle McEwen)]

I JUST FLAT DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO SAY..I only knew Al from the Hook series tournaments..He had an amazing eye for measuring close bass..If he said the fish was 13 you could bet your next three pay checks on it, that is if you could find anyone willing to go against Al's judgement..He always had a good word for you..He will definitely be missed..

mac

[Gene Buchholz]

Update from Jenny and Bill 8/23

Update on Sue and Al- From Bill at UC Davis Medical (Jen’s Fiancé-Al’s Son-In-Law)

This is an update for interested family and friends of Al and Sue. Jenny and I are here with Sue at UC Davis Medical Center and we are trying to update folks on a regular basis, so I will try to provide an overview of some of the most common concerns/questions that have been on the minds of family and friends. There are so many concerned folks out there, which is an indication of how loved Sue and Al are and what kind of people they are. One example would be the web page that Gene (One of Al’s best friends and fishing buddies) put together in his memory:

http://www.hookproshop.com/al_mcknight/

We appreciate all the love that has been shown thus far and it will certainly take a lot more love to help Sue and her family overcome this tragedy but we will stay strong in this time of loss and we will be sure to remember and celebrate Al for the amazing guy that he was. Just ask the people that served with Al in the military; or the guys who fished with him on the Delta (He caught over a 100+ pound fish on his last ocean fishing expedition to Canada!); or the crew that worked with him at Comcast (I feel sorry for the guy that takes his job, I mean Al used to BBQ for his crew in the middle of the week just to show appreciation for the guys he worked with! Big shoes to fill, I mean literally Al’s shoes were huge!); or the riders in the Harley Owners Group (they already were paying tribute on a motorcycle run last weekend); or you can ask his loving family. They will all tell you that Al was an amazing person and that he will be missed dearly.

Plan for Services for Al
• Al is currently at Allen Mortuary in Turlock, CA
• The initial plan would be for a viewing within the next 2 weeks followed by services at a time when Sue can participate? (This will be up to Sue, services may be extended out several weeks due to the severity of Sue’s injuries)
• Comcast, the HOG group, The Hook Rats, etc. have all shown interest in participating in services for Al and the family is welcoming these groups in celebrating Al’s life, but again the actual plan for services will be up to Sue

[Gene Buchholz]

Plan for Services for Al
• A public viewing for Al McKnight is planned for this coming Wednesday September 6th from 2PM to 8PM at the Allen Chapel in Turlock, CA you can find details on the service at: http://www.allenmortuary.com/detail/245

• The physical address and phone for Allen is: 247 North Broadway | Turlock, California 95380 | 209-634-5829
• After the initial viewing, we currently plan is to have a full-service funeral and bury him in Turlock or Newman in the next 5-6 weeks (pending Sue’s condition) or otherwise directed by Sue.
• The services for Al will eventually be held at Allen’s Chapel as well, so those who attend the public viewing will know where to go when we announce the full-service
• The obituary will be published in the Modesto Bee, the Turlock Journal, and the Contra Costa Times. It should come out on Thursday 8/31. We will also be putting out another more personalized obituary when we have the date and time of the funeral service.

CHP Report
• After further conversations with law enforcement and eyewitnesses, it is likely the women in the truck will be found at-fault
• Based on initial reports and eyewitnesses Al did everything he could do to stop the motorcycle properly. He was an experienced rider and was able to stop the bike from hitting the truck head-on; in the end he will likely have saved Sue’s life
• The CHP did not have anything to do with misinformation that was printed in local news articles, unfortunately they printed what was going to sound sensational in the paper, family members plan to complain the papers and encourage others to do the same if you feel that characterizations like “Barrelingâ€