Ethan William McKnight

It is with heartfelt shock and sadness the McKnight Family announces the death of their son/brother, Ethan, aka #3. Ethan William McKnight came into this world on March 3rd, 2007, and suddenly departed on June 15th, 2026. His parents, Jennifer and Scott McKnight, as well as his older brothers, Dylan and Collin, were delighted at his arrival. Ethan was an easy baby and a very chilled-out child and adult, earning the nickname Easy-E. Ethan gained his best friend and little brother, Brennan, and five years later arrived Aidan. Aidan referred to Ethan as his second favorite brother. Ethan was competitive. He loved playing cornerback on his high school football team after spending years as the center on multiple teams within SBMSA. Ethan swam on his neighborhood swim team, the Nottingham Forest Sharks, and while pretty much coming in last on every race, finished each one with a giant grin and loved donning a weenie bikini borrowed from his teammates. Ethan frequently hosted poker games at the house and swore he won far more than his friends. He treated poker a bit like a job and counted on the income it provided to pay for his extracurriculars. Ethan earned his Open Water Diver certification, and he loved the ocean and to scuba dive. Ethan was an avid, patient fisherman and enjoyed family trips to Lake D’Arbonne in Farmerville. He loved boating, jet skiing and tubing and was fearless in most pursuits. Ethan’s faith was steadfast and devoted. He loved the Lord, and he loved memorizing Bible verses, which he excelled at. He was a frequent victor in Bible verse contests at Frontier Camp, Young Life and MDPC Mission Trips. Ethan’s favorite verse was Romans 5: 3-5. Ethan was confident, witty, kind and funny. One of his church leaders mentioned how he always entertained their group without doing it at the expense of others. Ethan graduated from Stratford High School in May 2025, and went on to attend Dallas College, Houston Community College, Austin Community College and Odessa College, all in an effort to cram in enough classes to be able to submit his application to the University of Texas. Ethan planned to major in biochemistry, attend medical school and become an orthopedic surgeon. Ethan moved to Austin, Texas in August 2025 and pledged Sigma Phi Epsilon, Alpha Chapter, at University of Texas. Ethan was living his best life and told us he had never been happier. At Parents Weekends, Ethan would introduce us to his pledge brothers, and they would all say something to the effect of, “Oh, you’re Ethan’s parents. Ethan is my favorite pledge brother.” There were so many Sig Eps who said that, it is impossible to keep them all straight. Ethan thrived in pledgeship and was one of the hardest workers, which earned him a spot as an Assistant Pledge Trainer this coming fall. He was so honored and excited to continue to grow in Sig Ep. Ethan was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dottie and Bob Jenkins and Fraulene McKnight. He is survived by his loving parents, Jennifer and Scott, his brothers, Dylan, Collin, Brennan and Aidan, and his grandmothers Carolyn McKnight and Joanie Jenkins, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, Sig Ep brothers, friends and beloved Weimaraner rescues, Margeaux and Beaux. Ethan’s memorial service will be this Saturday, June 20th, 2026 at 11 a.m. at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston, TX 77024, with a reception immediately following. We are asking attendees to wear bright colors, as Ethan believes this should be a joyous celebration. The service can be live-streamed at https://www.mdpc.org/media/watch-live/watch-live/. Please lift up our family in prayer, as this is an incomprehensibly difficult time. In lieu of flowers, you are asked to make a donation to Weimaraner Rescue of Texas at weimrescuetexas.org/#!donate/c42f or The Ethan McKnight Memorial Scholarship c/o Sigma Phi Epsilon, by venoming @Lynn-Thomas-9, last four digits 7537. Ethan will be missed beyond measure.

Ethan William McKnight

March 3, 2007 - June 15, 2026