Gradon Duane Knotts

Gradon Duane Knotts

1964 ~ 2026

Gradon Duane Knotts, age 61, passed away on July 1, 2026 in Provo, UT. He was born July 25, 1964 in Berkeley, CA, and adopted the next day by Hugh Duane and Dee Anna Knotts. Most people didn’t realize he was adopted; he was the epitome of what it meant to be a Knotts. He was the eldest of their five children. He was a funny guy who was passionate about his family, friends, places and sports. For many, sports seasons won’t be the same without him.

Gradon was raised in Spanish Fork, Utah where he developed a love of baseball and other sports. He graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 1982 and then attended Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, UT for 1 year before deciding to go on a mission. Gradon served a mission for 2 years in Scotland for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After his mission he resumed his education at Brigham Young University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance. While at BYU he was employed at the Missionary Training Center, where he loved teaching English speaking missionaries and sharing stories from his mission.

While attending BYU he met his wife, Melissa Nixon. After dating for 1 year, they were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. They lived in Spanish Fork until Gradon graduated. After graduation they moved to Tarrytown, New York for an internship with IBM. Gradon decided, during his internship, to pursue higher education and attended the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN, where he received his Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA).

After graduate school Gradon and Melissa moved to Sunnyvale, CA for employment where Gradon worked initially as a financial analyst for Syntex Pharmaceuticals. They spent 27 years in the Bay Area where they purchased their first home in Mountain View, California.

In 1997 the dream of finally becoming a Dad came true with the birth of their first child, Ryan. Five years later, with much joy, they welcomed twin girls, Peyton and Hailey, which would complete their family. Gradon was an exceptional dad and coached passionately, both formally and informally, as his children played many sports including: soccer, baseball, softball, volleyball, track, football and basketball.

Gradon was a devout and faithful servant of God. He had a strong testimony of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He served in many church callings from Assistant to the President on his mission, teaching 11 year old boys in Primary, teaching Young Men and teaching adults in Elders Quorum and Sunday School. He had a natural knack for teaching and connecting with others.

Gradon continued to work in pharmaceutical/medical device companies including Roche, Xenogen, Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Talon Therapeutics, Myrexis, and Armetheon. He enjoyed his work, especially as Vice President of Business Development building partnerships and closing deals around the world. He became friends with many colleagues through his humor and relationship building skills.

In 2017 Gradon had a disabling mountain biking accident in Utah while riding with his son, Ryan. He was life flighted from Park City to University of Utah trauma center. He spent 4 full months in the hospital with subsequent surgeries and rehabilitation. It was during this difficult time that the family moved to Alpine, UT to be close to Gradon. They remained there for 7 years before building their current home in Highland, UT.

Highlights of the last 9 years were Peyton and Hailey graduating from high school, adding a son-in-law, Kyle Schilling (Peyton), and seeing all four of them graduate with Bachelor’s degrees. Education was always very important to Gradon and Melissa.

Living with paralysis was extremely difficult for Gradon who was so active and on the move throughout his life. Despite this, he endured in faith, kept his sense of humor and kept cheering on his family as well as his friends and their children. He kept and made connections with many, usually centered around sports. Gradon and Melissa built an amazing life focused on their incredible children. Gradon’s wit and humor will be missed by all those who knew and loved him.  The family is very grateful for the support, love and memories shared by so many at this difficult time.

Gradon is survived by his wife, Melissa; children: Ryan Knotts, Peyton Schilling (Kyle), and Hailey Knotts. He is also survived by his mother, Dee Anna Knotts; siblings: Adrian Knotts, Andrea McConnel (Cary), Candice Parker (Scott), and Rory Knotts (Natalie); mother-in-law, Marilyn Nixon; brothers and sisters-in-law: Corilyn Markham, Gordon Nixon (Kim), Rynn Nixon (Tanna), Gary Nixon (Mickie), and Shanae Leavitt (Kahle) along with many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Hugh Duane Knotts; father-in-law, Tom Nixon; brothers-in-law: Troy Tolbert and Nick Markham; and nephews: Tyler Tolbert and Landon Leavitt.

Memorial services will begin with a viewing Friday, July 10, 2026 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Warenski Funeral Home; 1776 North 900 East, American Fork, Utah. Funeral services will follow on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 11605 North 6000 West, Highland, Utah. There will be a viewing from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to services followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m.  All are invited to attend. Following services, interment will be at the Alpine City Cemetery followed by a family luncheon at the church.

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