Jeffrey Lynn Knabb, 61 of Parks Township, PA, was called to play and sing in the Lord’s band on October 24, 2022.  Jeffrey passed peacefully, at home, with his loving wife by his side.  Jeffrey’s heroic, eighteen-month battle with Hepatocellular carcinoma, was fought with tenacity, strength, and positive attitude.  Jeffrey’s oncologist would say “I love that guy, no matter what we throw at him, he accepts the challenge.”  Jeffrey had two goals when first diagnosed with cancer; 1) to “Ring the Bell” signifying he won the battle against cancer, and 2) see his four-year-old “niece” My’Anna, graduate high school.

Born January 1, 1961, to the late James W. (deceased 2018) and Betty L. (Huffman) Knabb (deceased 2020) in New Kensington, PA, Jeffrey made his first public appearance on January 12, 1961, in The News Citizen newspaper as “Winner of ’61 First Baby Race” contest hosted by the same newspaper.

Jeffrey, born with the soul of a musician, was an emerging instrumentalist, taking piano lessons, singing lessons and music theory lessons.  Jeffrey began his music career singing in “The Chancel Choir” at his church.  Jeffrey’s passion for music, the talent he exuded, shined through the numerous bands Jeffrey performed with, in and around the Alle-Kiski Valley.  In 1987, Jeffrey was called for an audition with the oldies band “The Vogues.”  Jeffrey’s aspiration of performing in a touring band materialized.  From 1987 to 1994, Jeffrey played bass guitar, keyboards and sang baritone vocals.

Jeffrey, a true music enthusiast, enjoyed most genres of music. Jeffrey favored old time blues singers like Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf and Bill Withers.  Jeffrey’s appreciation for the blues led him to play in several blues bands in the area. But it wasn’t until a fateful meeting with a singer who simply asked Jeffrey to record a “few songs” that would bring together an impressive group of talent with “The Fat Henry Band.”  Jeffrey’s devotion to “The Fat Henry Band” was “the glue that held the band together” remembers one band member; being featured on radio station WYEP, playing venues such as the Hard Rock Café, Bobby Dales, Metropol, local theater shows and festivals.  Jeffrey’s straightforward view on why he enjoyed performing in bands and entertaining was “if I look out into the crowd and see just one person smile or tapping their foot, then I know I’m doing my job.”

Jeffrey worked, for the past ten years, as a self-employed subcontractor in Youngstown, PA as a painter. Jeffrey’s meticulous skill for his craft earned him the nickname “Jeff the Pro Painter.”  Jeffrey’s work ethic was above reproach as he took on each new project with a “never give up, never surrender attitude.”  Jeffrey’s most challenging project was painting the U.S. flag on an entire house with assistance, now referred to as “The Trump House.”

Jeffrey cherished his family, particularly during family gatherings hosted with his wife. A friend to many, Jeffrey would help anyone in need, especially if it meant using his Massey Ferguson tractor. Jeffrey’s heart was pure gold.  Jeffrey’s life can be summed up by the quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson:  “The purpose of life is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well."

Jeffrey is survived by his wife, Mary Jo (Rhoades) Knabb; uncle, Dr. Ronald D. Huffman, of Helotes, Texas, brother, Gregg, sister-in-law’s, whom Jeffrey treasured, Susan and Lisa Rhoades, and his “adopted” family, Mr. and Mrs. Myron L. Webb, Jr. and their daughter, My’Anna, in addition to numerous cousins and friends.

His wife would like to thank Mandi, Jeffrey’s hospice nurse from Promedica Hospice in Irwin, PA, for her compassionate care of her husband; in addition, to Sam, Jeffrey’s transportation driver for his radiation appointments to and from Mountain View Medical Park in Greensburg.   Jeffrey’s kinship with Sam was short-lived; however, Jeffrey valued his friendship with the many stories and different scenic routes Sam used to bring Jeffrey home.

The Clawson Funeral & Cremation Center, 170 Main St., Leechburg, 724-842-1051 has been entrusted with private arrangements.