Brandon McKnight Obituary

You gained your angel wings 15 years ago today, brother, and that day heaven became a happier place. I hope you're fishing in the skies. Continue to watch over us all. I love and miss you so much!

Love, Sa

Brandon had a heart of gold . Always willing help any way he could. Love yah

Still can't believe I lost my best friend. Love and think about you everyday bro, everything is going good with us. Got a good girl taking care of me, and believe it or not but you're an uncle now. We got the coolest little nephew ever thanks to mitch. Save a spot for me and continue to watch over us all.

I worked with Brandon at the St. Jude office in Chicago and think of him very often. I keep his prayer card close. I send warmest wishes to Brandon in heaven and his wonderful, loving family xoxo

Happy Birthday Brandon, We miss you so much.But I know you are watching over all of us.And you are missed each and every day.I Love you so much..Love Mom & Art :)

Miss you a lot at least you r with god love Aunt Mary

Miss you everyday, your sweet face and your contagious laugh. This world is missing an amazing person, but god has gained an amazing person. Love you and miss you dearly! Love Jamie and Kevin

Miss you Brandon I love you and miss you so much. Love Steven

Brandon I miss you dearly, with all my heart and soul, You are the best son anyone could ask for.Each and every day you are in my thoughts.I know you are watching over all of us. My Sweet Angel. I Love you so much and miss you. Love Mom and Art

I wished we could have stayed living around one another longer. I miss you all every day. I found some old pictures which only made me miss Delhi, and my friends even more. I know you are looking down on all of us and watching out for us. You were cool as a child, I can only imagine the man you became. Miss you, love you... misty dawn

Brandon you are the best brother anybody can ask for you were so concerned about everyone else the last thing or person on your mind was yourself I love you so much R.I.Paradise brother.

Missing you Bubba! Love you and still think of you all the time!!

It has been 2 yrs today Brandon,I miss so much, Your big smile,your kind words you always knew just the right thing to say to cheer me up,You are in my thoughts each and every day in so many ways. I Love you and miss you Love Mom

Today's your birthday and I wish you were here! I Love you soooo much!!!! <3

Thinking of you. Love you and miss you! <3

Miss you and Love you Brandon you are greatly missed. You have done great things in your life and no one will ever forget you. Love Walter and Krystal Radomski

My dearest son Brandon today makes a year since we all lost you,It well never get any easier for any of us,but you know you are forever loved each and every day,i miss your phone calls from work to make sure Steven was up for school, i think of you all the time,when i see someone or something you are always in my thoughts and my prayers, i know you are my reason i do get threw the tough times, because i knew you had a lot of tough times and you made it threw them with a smile on your face you always had a smile and a kind word or a helping hand for someone you met, love you with all my being rest in peace my smiling son love mom

One year ago today, our lives forever changed. Although you are no longer here in person, you are always here in spirit. It will never hurt any less, but the memories of you will always give me strength. I know you're smiling down from above with Dad by your side. I love and miss you terribly Brother and that will never change. I love you, I love you, I love you! Love Always, Su

Our hearts are filled with special memories of you. You have the most gentle spirit & knowing you're in heaven gives us hope of seeing you again. May Jesus love & keep you with him forever. We love & miss you. Love Always, Uncle Lee & Aunt Niki

Well, I couldn't call you cuzz or cuzzo but I always considered you family. A member that I will always be extreamly proud of. Strong, courageous and caring are a few of the attributes you always put forth each step you took in life. The marks you wer able to make during your short time here were deep, forever scarring the hearts and soles of the people lucky enough to have met you. Thank you for showing us all how life is supposed to be lived. I will never forget the young man with the heart of a lion! Thanks for all you are!

You are greatly missed and will always be close to my heart. I love you! Love Aunt Sharon

We never got to do that fishing trip, but I know that god it letting you fish your little butt off up their. It's still hard to think of you being gone. You made a difference in people's lives and you will continue to do so in spirit. I love you! Love Cousin Jamie and Kevin

Cuzzo!! Love and forever miss u!! You will never be forgotten and always cherished. I know your in a better place now and are watching over, with us through every step and action we take. Love always and more!!

Love you Brandon and miss you very much.. Wish we could have spent more time together. Aunt Elaine

MY DEAREST BRANDON, I LOVE U YOU AND MISS YOU EACH AND EVERY DAY, I CANT PUT IT IN WORDS.I LOVE YOU,YOU INSPIRED A LOT OF PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE LOVE MOM IT HAS BEEN 11 MONTHS BUT IT SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY THE PAIN I FEEL FOR YOU LOVE MOM

Brandon you had a beautiful and pure heart. I'm glad I had the honor of meeting and knowing you. I'm sure you already knew this but the last thing I want to tell you is that your mother loved and still loves you dearly. You will never be forgotten and your mother will make sure your memories are forever remembered! Till we meet again. Rest in peace!

BRANDON WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH AND MISS YOU SO MUCH, YOU WELL ALWAYS BE MISSED AND LOVED. LOVE MOM ART

Such a brave and kind soul, knowing you was a great blessing.

My dearest Brandon,
Where you used to be there is a hole in the world. The world is chaos without you; however you left behind wisdom for the lucky ones who have met you. Wisdom to cope with life.
I still will miss your heart, your humor, your smile, your undying love and compassion for everyone in your life.
I, Everyday, strive to be more like you. To love another, give whatever and to enjoy these fleeting moments we call life.
You are loved and will be forever missed.
Thank you for being my friend, you have taught me well. I love you!

Erica Keegan

REST IN PEACE BRANDON

even though we werent related you always there for me if i needed you

brandon was the best brother i could any one could have he cared about any and every one he put everybody before his self and thats why i look up to him not just because he his older we miss him verey much...........

I HOPE YOU HAVE A GOOD TIME IN HEAVEN BRANDON. WE ALL MISS YOU.ESPECIALLY ME YOU WERE LIKE A BROTHER TO ME. I KNOW YOUR WATCHING OVER ME. LOVE YOU
ANDRE A.K.A.
DAE DAE

WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO HAVE BRANDON IN OUR LIFES FOR SOMETIME NOW, I COULD'NT SAY ONE NEGATIVE THING ABOUT THAT YOUNG MAN. WHAT I CAN SAY IS HE'S A STRONG OUT GOING & VERY KIND PERSON, THOUGH ONE THING I REALLY ADORED ABOUT BRANDON ... HE HAD NO FEAR IN HIS HEART! I KNOW MY 8 YR OLD SON THOUGHT HIGHLY OF HIM AS BRANDON DID OF ANDRE. HE WAS VERY GOOD TO HIM . THOUGH HE WILL BE MISSED DEARLY & OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU BRANDON, WE WILL MISS YOU. OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO PAM & FAMILY.
LOVE & RESPECT
DONNA AND BOYS

In loving memory of a wonderful person. Brandon, We will love you and miss you always. You will always live in our hearts and prayers.

Melissa, Pam, Meghan, Mitchell, Pete, Steven - Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

Kathy and I have had Brandon, Pam and her wonderful family in our prayers for as long as I have known them. My only regret is that I didn't get to see Brandon before he passed, but we will continue to remember him in our thoughts and prayer.He was a pillar of strength and probably the toughest person {outside of Pam}that I have ever known

A wise man, (my own baby brother) recently said, "No matter how low you feel or how messed up you feel your own situation is, you can ALWAYS reach out and help someone else". This is what Brandon taught us. Whether it's something as small as cracking a joke to brighten someone's day (Brandon always did that), or something as big as raising money to save lives (he probably did that more than making people laugh), you can ALWAYS do something to make the world better, no matter how insignificant that act may seem to you. It may mean the world to another person.



My hero was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was 5. My parents got angry but he never did. My sister told me the other day she never even saw my brother scared except for one time when he was first diagnosed. He asked my Dad if he was going to die. My Dad told him no, because he was there and wouldn't let that happen. To us going to Memphis for check-ups and treatment was a normal part of life and sort of a vacation, because Brandon made it that way. He NEVER showed fear and always made other patients there relaxed and comfortable. He wanted to be seen as a normal kid, and to us he was. Some of my earliest memories are of St. Jude, me and Brandon getting tattoos together, (he always got ninja turtles), birthday parties there, swimming in the pools at the hotels. I always refused to believe he was sick, and I still get angry when people say he had cancer. That's an ugly word and my brother was too good for that. St. Jude's has been a part of our lives for as long as I can remember and our entire family will be forever grateful to the people there for saving his life all those years ago. They gave us the most precious gift of all, time. Time to know Brandon, time to learn how to be better people, time to see what one person could do.


Brandon made the world a better place just by being himself. Bike, math, book, walk and radio-athons all with one thing in mind, St. Jude. He loved that place and so did we. They truly are great. I still remember the bike-a-thon when a family friend pledged a nice amount of money for each mile Brandon rode (I think $10 or more?), not thinking he would go for too long. He learned fast not to underestimate MY brother. Brandon definitely went the distance and this man's pockets were hurting after. Another time a friend of my Dad's shaved his own head in a show of solidarity for Brandon. I believe small things like that are what Brandon needed, and what kept him going, just people showing they appreciated him.


Giving all of himself to other people was normal for Brandon and I just wish we could all be that selfless and kind. I am honored to have known him, and blessed to have him as my big brother. I've only got one big brother and I'm glad it was him, because he was the perfect man for the job. My heart is breaking as I write this, but I take comfort knowing that he is once again with Dad, walking in Memphis, and they're looking down on us smiling. I love you Brandon and I swear I'll never forget you!!! I want to be just like you when i grow up. Monkey Knuckle...

I Love You I Love You I Love You,
Your Little Sister Meghan McKnight (2 lines under the C)

If The Cubs Don't Win This Year I'm Gonna Be A Sox Fan Brand. (Just Kidding)



Thank you to everyone for supporting us in this difficult time.

I met Brandon while working at white hen and i must say he will forever stay in my heart! He was the sweetest person i had ever met. Sometimes coming in just to say hi, buy some gum (juicy fruit), grab a drink or stay a while and conversate to see how things were.

He was just wonderful to be around, & Knowing how much he had dealt with in his life made/makes me admire his strength and love of life. I never once heard him complain, look sad or feel sorry for himself! He was a fighter and always kept a positive attitude.

He was a beautiful soul that God couldnt do without any longer. Although it breaks my heart to know he is gone im proud to say i knew Brandon Mcknight and he will ALWAYS be my motivation to be a better person. To give with out expecting, to help and remember those less fortunate no matter how bad things are going in my life, to smile no matter how hard the road has been, to never give up and be strong! although i will never be as great of a person as Brandon was i can only hope to try and follow his way of living.

I cant thank God enough for giving me the opportunity to meet him and being able to call him my friend!

My deepest condolences to his family! You guys are the sweetest and strongest family i have met! Its easy to see where Brandon got his strength and kindness from! God bless you all! <3

Pam, Melissa, and to the McKnight clan, Ms Janice and I extend our love and sympathy at this time. We both enjoyed watching your family grow up in Epps and Ms. Janice even teaching Charlie in high school.

I have visions of Brandon eagerly leading his younger siblings across the street, with the precision of a mother duck, to Chouccoli's grocery. Perhaps that's why they clung to him in adulthood. Ever polite to the elders and never met a stranger. An eternal optimist, he shared his dad's love of the Cubs, as he would say, "How about them Cubs!!!! Mr. Dennis this is the year they are going to take it all. All I could answer was, "Maybe they will". I didn't share his enthusiasm, as a native of Waukegan, I have been a frustrated Cub and Bear fan all of my life.

Both Melissa and Brandon were regulars at Epps Baptist Church and we were surprised when he was first diagnosed. His strength and courage was based on his faith in God and what would become. To have outlived the diagnosis, we always just considered him a miracle child of the Lord.

The family eventually moved on from Epps, but Brandon would call and give me an update on his health and the cubbies.

As I read the many postings it is evident that he never lost the fine qualities he developed in childhood. Melissa, I too am convinced the Lord gave him years beyond his anointed time so we could all enjoy his friendship and companionship and most of all be a testimony to the strength and power of our living God.

We are thankful and blessed for coming to know him.

Hey Brandon, "How about them Cubs, this may be the year they take it all."

Love always

Dennis and Janice LaBatt

My Brother Brandon was the sweetest, most caring individual I've ever known. It is said that everyone is here for a purpose and god has a plan for everyone. When I learned of my Brother's passing I was angry. He always bounced back from everything in full spirit and with a smile. I couldn't understand why he had to suffer for the last eleven months of his life. After a few nights of wondering why? It finally made sense. My family and I were given that opportunity to show Brandon our love and admiration for him. He was able to see how much we loved and cared for him and for that I am truly thankful. Brandon touched so many lives. He served his purpose by simply being the loving and caring person that he was. He always demonstrated pure kindness and generosity. His life goal was to give back and help save the lives of other children. He was given that opportunity and fulfilled it. Brandon was someone I was always looking up to. He was the strongest person I've ever known. He taught us all that you can always lend a helping hand. He was simply the best. He will never be forgotten and shall always remain in my heart. I will cherish all the wonderful memories and remember his contagious smile. I love Brandon dearly and am proud to call him my Brother. I don't look at this as goodbye, but as see you later.

Love Always,
Your sister Melissa "SA"

Ive known the McKnight family since they first moved hear to Chicago almost some 10 years ago, I became good friends with Brandons sisters, and then became really close to the entier family, I started to see them as my secound family threw my eyes, Brandon was always like a big brother to me, he was always there to lend a helping hand, were ever it was needed, no matter how his day was going, or how much pain he was feeling, he always seems to put it aside, and focus on maken the people he cared and loved smile. Brandon was truly a one of a kind friend, and never will he be forgotten. As we think about brandon, we think about the battle he fought for such a long time, but now we know that he is no longer in pain, he is now at peace walking the goldon streets of heaven with a smile still apon his face as he has always shown to us all, he will forever remain a part of us all, for we carry him within our hearts, this is not a goodbye, it is more of a see you later, for we will all see Brandon again some day, and we will all walk hand in hand with him, my heart goes out the family and friends who have lost such an amazing person, but be ashure he will always reamain hear with us.

Brandon was a great person. We are just happy that we were able to get as many years to be with him. But lord had plans for him. And when Brandon was done with his accoplisement it was time to go be with the lords. Now it is time to serve the lord from heaven and to watch over his friends and family.

Hey melissa its jim lewis and stacey and adan...We are so sorry to hear about your loss i know that you loved and cared for him very much and im sure he knew that as well. If there is anything we can do or anything that you need please dont hesitate to ask. Please give me a call whenever your ready to talk. we love you and your in our prayers. jim

sorry you guys for your loss. he was one of the sweetest kids i have ever met. give your mom & all my love.. give me a call sometimes.. love ya'll misty dawn

Brandan Loved his Mom and family! He charished each of them and I saw why first hand as I visited him in the hospital recently. His brothers and sisters hung all over him and cared for him as if they were the loving parents! They demonstrated to me and soooo many others what real love is……sacrificing their own lives, their own time to make sure he was comfortable and loved. Brandon had an amazing impact on my life and I will never forget My Friend Brandon.

Brandon knew how to bring smiles to those around him. For those who had the pleasure of knowing him, you'd know of his sense of humor. I worked at the store close to his home and I would see him often. He would always smile and say hello once he walked through the door. He would usually get bread and a gallon of milk, and a newspaper. He would also give me correct change! Brandon, you will be missed very much by all of your friends and family, I know in my heart that you are well now, and that you have probably gone fishing in heaven.
Love always,
Jelly

We all loved Brandon very much and he will always be missed.
Even though we hate to give him up, I believe Heaven is a beautiful place. He will be at peace, he was already an angel on Earth so I can't believe what he will be there. Jennifer, Kevin, and Grace

Your family is in our prayers and thoughts. Brandon was a wonderful person and I know we were very blessed to know him... Misty Moore Kirkland (Epps, La)

Brandon was a true inspiration to us all. I had the pleasure of meeting him when he called me five years ago at the St. Jude Office to tell me that he was a St. Jude patient and had been going around the neighborhood collecting money for St. Jude for the Chicago Marathon campaign. We became fast friends after that, as Brandon was so eager and proud to do as much as he could to give back to St. Jude, the organization that gave so much to him. He inspired so many people by sharing his story and he made new friends wherever he went. I am honored to have known him and to call him my friend. I know that while his time here on earth was shorter lived than most, his legacy lives on in all who he so lovingly touched.

Although I have never met Brandon, I had the opportunity to get to know him over the phone. When he called John Balourdos I would talk to Brandon a few mintues before transferring the call or taking a message. He was always so polite and sweet. I could tell he was a wonderful gracious person. John would keep me up to date as to how Brandon was doing. I will miss speaking to him. My deepest condolences during this difficult time. May God Bless you and your family.
John Balourdos's Assistant,
Kathy Gutierrez

Brandon will be missed by everyone who knew him. His upbeat, always positive, outlook on life was a true gift, and one that he was always happy to share with friends and strangers alike.

Working with him at the St. Jude Office in Chicago taught me many things. He was someone "who whistled while he worked" - just because he loved what he did. His sense of humor brought a little more laughter and fun to our office every day.

I'm sure that Brandon brought a good joke to share with the angels, and that from now on, there will be a little more laughter in heaven...thanks to him.

I was so sad to hear of your loss. Brandon touched so many people with his kind heart and his diligent work in spreading hope though his experience with St. Jude. I saw him speak many times- he was able to convey his compelling story in a way that it became meaningful for anyone who heard it told.

I very much enjoyed the time I worked with him at the Chicago St. Jude office. His smile and his clever sense of humor were two of my favorite of all of his wonderful personality traits. I can't tell you how many times he made me laugh out loud.

I know Brandon and your family have suffered a lot. I hope that you will find peace soon. I'm certain Brandon has and is having a beautiful and peaceful experience on the other side.

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.