Ivan Alastair Knight

Ivan Alastair Knight was born at home in Stafford, United Kingdom, on June 17th, 1969, to Anne Dilys and Kenneth Raymond Knight. Ivan took his last breath in Whatcom County, WA, on April 19th, 2022. Ivan attended Leasowes Primary School and Walton High School in Stafford, U.K., followed by Stafford College. Ivan served in the Corps of Royal Marines from 1985-1988 and was a member of the Royal Marines Rugby League. Ivan worked a variety of jobs in the U.K. including Sales with Peugeot Talbot, the positions of Licensed House Manager, Deputy Area Manager and Retail Area Manager for Allied Domecq Leisure, Sales Manager for DHL in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Area Business Manager for Scottish & Newcastle and Regional Manager for First Leisure Corporation. During his years in the United Kingdom, Ivan was passionate about Harley-Davidson Motorcycles, photography, skiing, hiking, Reiki and world travel. Ivan's passion for travel and Harleys led him to take a solo holiday to Arizona where he rented a Harley and toured the Southwest. Ivan and Chloe met during that holiday on February 21st, 2003, at the Crystal Palace Saloon in Tombstone, AZ, and they married later that year in December of 2003 in Bellingham, WA. Ivan and Chloe lived in their first home in Maple Falls, WA, from 2004 to 2009 and they welcomed their first son, Jacob, in 2004. During that time, Ivan worked for Bank of America, Whatcom Educational Credit Union and Skagit Powersports prior to starting his career as an operator at the BP Cherry Point Refinery in 2008 where he also served on the BP Cherry Point fire team and remained employed there until his passing. Ivan was also a volunteer with the Whatcom County Fire District 14 while living in Maple Falls. Ivan and Chloe moved to Ferndale, WA, in 2009 and later welcomed their second son, Jude, in 2011. On July 4th, 2012, Ivan proudly became a citizen of the United States of America. In 2009 Ivan traded his passion for motorcycles to mountain biking and road biking and then threw himself into learning everything that he could to become the most skilled rider that he could be. That drive was typical of Ivan's nature and he excelled at everything that he put his mind to. He could be found happily riding the trails of Galbraith, along with hitting the trails around Winthrop and Leavenworth and adventuring on a few extended mountain bike tours around the Northwest and Southwest. On Ivan's 49th birthday he was given a banjo after mentioning interest throughout the years. He immediately began to focus on learning the banjo and his daily discipline was admirable. At the age of 51 Ivan also took up learning the dobro guitar and he filled the family home with beautiful melodies from both instruments. He added his desire to learn the harmonica only four months prior to his passing. Additionally, at the age of 51 he took up fishing, bought a boat, and strived to learn all that he could. He loved fishing with Jude as often as possible and enjoyed the hunt for Kokanee, trout, salmon, bass, and going crabbing off of Chuckanut with Chloe. Ivan was an ethical, intelligent man who was full of common sense, grit and the desire to give everything his best effort. When he wasn't working or following his passions, he deeply enjoyed spending time with his family and relaxing around the campfire with a good whiskey in hand. Ivan is survived by his wife, Chloe Knight, and their sons Jacob Knight and Jude Knight, all of Ferndale, WA, his mother Dilys Knight and father Kenneth Knight of Stafford, U.K., and his sister Anthea (Mike) Miles of London, U.K. Ivan is also survived by a large extended family of aunts and uncles and cousins in the United Kingdom, his sister-in-law and brother-in-law of College Station, TX, and their daughters, his beloved nieces, Emma and Maya, and his BP family. A special thank you to Officer Brian Lewellen of the Ferndale Police Department, Whatcom County Support Officer Ron Houtsma, and Tim Powell and Anna Balivet Jordan of Whatcom Cremation and Funeral who have all provided the perfect balance of professionalism and tenderness to Ivan's family during this difficult time. Please help yourself and your loved ones and call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 if you are struggling.