Edward "Ed" Alton Knapp

Edward Alton “Ed” Knapp, 88, formerly of Vicksburg, passed away October 17, 2024, at home in Cleveland, Tennessee. He was born on August 23, 1936. Ed was a veteran of the United States Army from 1954 - 1957.

Ed was an avid golf player and had a terrific sense of humor. He was a longtime educator and coach at Vicksburg High School from 1964 - 1998. He coached Baseball, Wrestling, Football, and Cross Country and was inducted into the Vicksburg Athletic Hall of Fame, Michigan Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, and Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame. After retirement he was the Assistant Girls’ Varsity Softball Coach from 2014 – 2017. Doing so allowed him to coach his granddaughters. He was still able to hit fungos for infield practice at the age of 80. 

He is preceded in death by his parents H. Alton and Helen (Turner) Knapp; wife Susan (Hamilton) Knapp for 56 years; and brother Phillip Knapp.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife, Sandra Goudzward; children: Ted Knapp, Tom (Julianne) Knapp, and Fred Knapp; two sisters: Barbara Lamont and Michelle (Mark) Garman; seven grandchildren: Jamie Knapp, Jessica (Dean) Bachner, Kacie (Chris) McPherson, Haleigh Knapp, Shaidan (Tyler) Leach, Tailynn Knapp, and Braidyn Knapp; four great grandchildren: Josie, Julian, Ava, and Zoe. He also leaves behind stepchildren: Stephanie Goudzward, Joe (Amanda) Goudzward, Jack Goudzward, and Jim (Michelle) Goudzward; and eight step grandchildren.

Ed’s memorial service will be at 2pm on Saturday November 16th at the Vicksburg High School’s Performing Arts Center at 501 East Highway Street, Vicksburg, MI 49097.

You are invited to share a personal memory of Ed or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.amsfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Vicksburg Athletic Boosters at www.vicksburgathleticboosters.org/donate . 

The Knapp family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Home and Cremation Society, 409 South Main Street, Vicksburg, MI 49097 (269) 649-1697.