Phillip Levell Knapp

How do you sum up, in a few short paragraphs, the life and legacy of one of the most Christ-like human beings? To know Phil is to know unconditional love. His kindness, wit, and wisdom have been his signature throughout his life. Even though he was soft spoken, he was full of pure wisdom. No matter what he was faced with, he was prepared with faith, courage, and humility.

He was born on the 20^th day of November in the year 1946 to Miles Ray Knapp and Hazel Marguerite Norton. He was born into a blended family, where he was the second oldest child of Miles and Hazel Knapp. He had four older half siblings from his parents’ previous marriages. He attended several schools in Pocatello and graduated from Pocatello High School.  

Growing up he enjoyed playing sports, specifically baseball, golf, basketball, and volleyball. Phil’s first job was being the clubhouse boy for the Pioneer League Baseball Team, which he loved. He said, “This is where I began to learn the value of money and the joy and pleasure that good hard work can bring.” 

He graduated from Pocatello High School in 1965 while simultaneously taking technological courses at Idaho State University for welding. Phil worked for a year at the Idaho Department of Transportation, until he received his orders for basic training for the Army Reserves. He was ordered to Fort Huachuca, Arizona for his AIT (Advanced Individual Training) in truck driving.

After his military service ended, he was called to serve in the California North Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While on his mission, he developed a lifelong love for the gospel of Jesus Christ. He returned home to Pocatello in 1969 and continued what would later become a lifelong career at the Highway department for the State of Idaho. 

In 1979, Phillip lost a dear friend and golfing buddy, Ronall Olsen, to a railroad accident.  Little did Phil know that he would later fall in love with Ron’s widow, Susan Diane Rupp, and that he would courageously take on Ron’s two boys, Ron and Russ, and baby girl, Misty Olsen. Phil & Susan were married on April 19, 1980, in the Idaho Falls Temple.

They began their new life together, and Phil loved these children as if they were his own. A few years later, they moved their family to McCammon where they were blessed with their first child together, Daniel.  Eight years later, they completed their family with the birth of their daughter, Phylicia.

They spent 22 years together in McCammon where they made lasting friendships with many good people. As their children grew and moved away, they decided to follow suit and built a home in Chubbuck, Idaho. In 2005, Phil retired from the Idaho Transportation Department after 37 years of service. 

A few years after he retired, in 2015, Phil and Susan had the desire to serve the Lord and were called to labor in the Historic Nauvoo Mission. On their mission, Phil enjoyed serving on the Facilities Maintenance Crew where he took extreme pride and joy to care for the sacred grounds of Nauvoo. Together they made many lifelong memories and cherished friends. 

Phil served in many capacities throughout his life. He held various callings for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He enjoyed countless scouting trips with his boys and many trips to girls camp as priesthood leadership.  He also served as a Bishopric Member, Sunday School Teacher, Ward Clerk, and served weekly in the temple with Susan. 

Phil was the best father to each of his kids. He’d never let a day go by without telling them how much he loved them. He supported them in all of their endeavors. He was a coach, teacher, mentor and friend. He cried with them when times got hard and was always prepared with a silly “Phil Knapp joke” to cheer them up. In his later years, Phil especially prided himself on the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. 

Phillip LeVell Knapp, age 75, ended his two-and-a-half-year battle of cancer, surrounded by his loving family as he closed his eyes one last time on the 25th day of June, 2022. 

Phil is already very missed by all those who knew and loved him!

We would like to give a special thanks to the many angels from Encompass Home Health and Hospice that gave him such tender care. 

Phil is survived by his loving wife and angel, Susan, his children, Ron (Kimberly) of San Tan Valley, Arizona, Russ (Erin) of Pocatello, Idaho, Misty (Crystal), of Chubbuck, Idaho,  Daniel (Jamie), of Chubbuck, Idaho, Phylicia (Aaron), of Iona, Idaho, his 19 beautiful grandchildren and two great grandchildren,  his sister, Jolene McCarthy (Bob), his brother Carl (Lynnae),  sister-in-law, Lorenda and sister-in-law, Carol. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hazel & Miles Knapp, his brothers David and Ralph Knapp, and his half siblings, Janice Ahalt, Ron Knapp, Mendell Mirabella, and Ivan Mirabella.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, July 11th at 12:00 pm, at the Tyhee Stake Center, 12146 West Tyhee Road, Pocatello, Idaho. The funeral service will be webcasted and can be viewed at http://PhilKnappZOOM.myez.info. A viewing will be held on Sunday, July 10th from 6:00-8:00pm at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W Chubbuck Rd.  A viewing will also be held on Monday at 10am prior to the funeral services at the Tyhee Stake Center.  Graveside services will follow at Restlawn Memorial Gardens.

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