Joseph Knapp

Celebration of Life at the Gillette American Legion Post 42, Sunday 16 March 2025, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.

Joseph Marion Knapp, 75, of Pine Haven, WY, passed peacefully, surrounded by family at Sundance Hospital, Sundance, Wyoming, on February 10, 2025.

Joe was born in Gillette, WY, on August 28, 1948. He spent his childhood in Gillette, graduating from Campbell County High School in 1968. Joe spent many summers at his Grandparents Dent and Oran Floyd's homestead ranch at Fortification Creek. He enjoyed playing, hunting and riding horses with his older brother, Everett, and his Knapp, Floyd, Clabaugh, and Hayden cousins.

Joe joined the US Navy in 1968 and served honorably through 1970. His service included a combat tour aboard the USS Hoel (DDG-13) in Vietnam as a Bupersman and NAVOP. His military medals include the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal (Bronze Star), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Joe returned home to Gillette, and specialized in concrete work with Hladky Construction, Van Ewing Construction, and his own Knapp Construction in Sheridan. Joe poured cement during the day, but his nights were for music. Joe followed in the footsteps of his parents, Ole and Jean Knapp, playing in bands with his brother Everett and friends from the local area. He was a talented musician, playing drums, bass, guitar, and vocals. Joe made his home in Gillette, Sheridan and finally Pine Haven, Wyoming near Keyhole Reservoir.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Miles Everett "Ole" Knapp and Carol "Jean" Floyd Knapp, and his former wife Vickie Lynn Cornell Knapp. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Vickie Sue Francis Knapp of Pine Haven; older brother, Everett Denton Knapp; daughters Tracy Knapp French (Shawn) and Greta Knapp, son Toby Knapp (Marjorie), and daughter Tana Knapp Hurlburt (Jon Grant); stepson Shawn Francis, and stepdaugher Regina Francis; He was blessed with grandchildren Paul, Kade, Kirsten, Sydney, Jillian, Steffen, Adler, Renee', stepgrandchildren Dalton, Laney, step-great-grandchildren, Adelyn, Lincoln, and Remington.