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Portrait of Charlie Knipp
Charlie

Charlie Knipp

July 26, 1964 – April 20, 2023
Lived 58 years
Olive Hill Memorial Gardens · Olive Hill, Kentucky
Life is a Highway
Life story

Charles "Charlie" Robert Knipp, husband, father, brother, friend, businessman, and jokester passed away on Thursday, April 20, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on July 26, 1964 in Morehead to Juanita Henderson Knipp of Olive Hill, Kentucky and the late George Russell Knipp, Sr.

In addition to his father he was preceded in death by one brother, George Russell Knipp Jr. and one sister, Kathy Menix.

Charlie leaves behind so many people who adored him. He is survived by his wife, soulmate, and best friend of 35 years, Jenny Littleton Knipp. Charlie and Jenny spent more than three wonderful decades together, carting the kids around to various activities, traveling across the country and to Israel, Palestine, Egypt, and Canada, and volunteering and giving back to their community. They loved Jeeping and hiking and exploring God’s creation together. They also loved watching Murder She Wrote, putting together puzzles, and simply enjoying being together, wherever that might be.

Charlie is also survived by his son Tyberius (Maili) Knipp of Franklin, Kentucky and his daughter, Alexandria Knipp of Raleigh, North Carolina. Charlie grew up as the youngest of nine siblings and he is survived by four brothers, Mike Knipp of Olive Hill, Kentucky, John Paul (Toni) Knipp of Mansfield, Ohio, Chester Knipp of Sandy Hook, Kentucky, and Steve Knipp of Olive Hill, Kentucky; two sisters, Vicki (Kenny) Brown and Connie (Randy) Offill all of Olive Hill, Kentucky. He is also survived by his sisters and brothers in law who visited so often he tried to charge them rent (at what his nephews and nieces dubbed “Hotel Char Char”): Samantha (Sammy) Thompson, Suzi (Ed) Ginter, and Tracy "Bub" (Gretchen) Kiser.

He was a faithful member of the church of Christ wherever he lived, including the Olive Hill Church of Christ in Kentucky, the Bluffton Church of Christ in South Carolina, and most recently the 10th and Vine Church of Christ in Ironton.

Charlie lived every day of his life to the fullest, from growing his business to joking with the little kids at church to climbing the great pyramids in Giza, Egypt. He made friends everywhere he went and formed bonds that were unbreakable, even when he called someone a stupid idiot, which was his favorite nickname always said with a smile.

Charlie was a well-traveled man. Throughout his career in the telecommunications industry he visited almost every state in America and would drive double digit hours through the night just to be at home with Jenny and the kids for a few hours before he'd hit the road again. Charlie had a lifelong love affair with peanut butter fudge, Chef Boyardee ravioli (which he swore was better than anything homemade), and Reese cups. An avid golfer, Charlie hit the course whenever he could and cherished his time with his golfing buddies. Charlie never met a stranger, and his loyalty, generosity, and love to those near him were unparalleled. Charlie lived a great life full of love, and he leaves behind impossible shoes to fill.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Monday, April 24, 2023 at Globe Funeral Chapel, 17277 West US Hwy 60, Olive Hill, Kentucky with Brother Brent Duncan, Brother Eric Bitting, Brother Sam Hall and Brother Dustin Rose officiating.

Friends may visit from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., Sunday, April 23, 2023 and after 9 a.m., Monday, April 24, 2023 until the service hour at Globe Funeral Chapel. Entombment will follow in the Olive Hill Memorial Park at a later date.

Tony Tackett, Keith Hammond, Steve Griffith, Richie Parker, Jerry Underwood and Larry Walker will serve as pallbearers.

Ed Ginter, Sam Thompson, Triston Ginter, Ken Allen, Tracy “Bub” Kiser, Rick Brown, Sam McCleese, David Kiser, Jerry Gifford, Joe Miles, Grady Lowe, Mark Duncan and Jeff Wells will serve as honorary pallbearers.

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Lifetime

The world Charlie knew

Family milestones in gold, history for context

1964
Born July 26
1969
Charlie was 5 when "Sesame Street" debuted
1971
Charlie was 7 when Walt Disney World opened in Florida
1977
Charlie was 13 when Elvis Presley died
1982
Charlie was 18 when Michael Jackson released "Thriller"
1989
Charlie was 25 when "The Simpsons" debuted as a series
1994
Charlie was 30 when "Friends" premiered
2004
Charlie was 40 when Facebook was launched
2023
Passed away April 20, age 58
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