Former longtime Crescenta Valley-area resident John Webster Knott died on Nov. 2 at his home in Cave Creek, Arizona from prostate cancer. He was husband to Mary and father to Melissa, Jeffrey, Jason and Melody and grandfather to Alex, Sam, Fiona, Avery, Jacob, Chloe, and Rhiannan.

Born in Brownfield, Texas on May 14, 1934, John moved with his parents to California during the war and lived in San Mateo, La Cañada and Alhambra prior to moving to Arizona. A graduate of California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, he served as lieutenant commander in the Navy aboard the USS Higbee.

His business career was varied, having worked primarily as a fleet manager and salesman in the automotive industry for the L.A. Times and American Motors, namely. During his years in La Cañada (1968-1978), “Webb,” as his family and friends knew him, coached his kids’ baseball teams for several years and was volunteer officer with the Crescenta Sports Association. He was known for throwing batting practice at CV Park at 7 a.m. Sunday mornings until his shoulder ached and Winchell’s donuts called. He also served as Assistant Cubmaster for local Troop 333.

Among his best traits was storytelling, including his dealings with the likes of Satchel Paige, Mickey Mantle, Clark Gable, Burt Lancaster, Jimmy Hoffa and Elvis Presley. Webb’s passions were golf and baseball.

He will be buried at sea in 2017. He will be greatly missed.