September 27, 1988 - May 22, 2013

Will Forever be Missed

Christopher Patrick "Sunshine" Knorr, 24, passed away Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at his home in Everett, Washington. Christopher began his clinical journey with surgery to remove a brain tumor the size of a tangerine, on December 23, 2009. He battled through months of rehabilitation, chemotherapy and radiation in 2010 and returned to his studies at California Lutheran University (CLU) in 2011. In August, 2012 he was diagnosed with recurrent medulloblastoma. Throughout his ordeal with cancer, he remained steadfastly positive and determined to live. Ultimately his body succumbed to the disease but his soul remains alive and well in God's kingdom. 

Christopher was born on September 27, 1988 to Ronald and Virginia Graham Knorr in Missoula, Montana. He moved with his family to Washington in 1990 and to his home in south Everett in 1992. He grew up loving and cherishing his parents and grandparents. He inherited all their best qualities from them. They loved him, as did many who recognized his respect and kindness towards others. He shared hugs easily and often. The goodness in his heart reflected up and out onto his frequently smiling face. From the time you first met him you could tell he was one of God's people. 

His diversity of interests concerned his father but he thrived on it and performed well or excelled at everything he attempted. He believed that if something is worth doing, it is worth doing well. He loved sports and had a strong competitive spirit. From a young age he participated in competitive swimming, baseball, soccer, and basketball. One summer, he was selected as part of the U.S. delegation, as a Sports Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand to play soccer in the Kanga Cup and Kiwi Cup. Christopher was a four year letterman, a multi-year recipient of the Timberwolf Award, and voted most inspirational swimmer at Jackson High School. He served as captain of the boy's swim team in high school and the men's swim team at CLU. He led by example and although he enjoyed competition, he had a keen sense of right and wrong. Fairness was very important to him and he was often requested as a referee for soccer and umpire for baseball games. He was also a scorekeeper and statistician for the Mariner High School volleyball team.

Christopher was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout and attained the rank of Eagle. He loved the outdoors and hiked from Stevens pass to Snoqualmie pass and canoed the Bowron Lakes with his scouting brethren. He also enjoyed fishing for salmon and halibut with his dad in southeast Alaska. Other interests included coin collecting, muscle cars, watching movies, and "chowing down". He was a member of Advent Lutheran Church where he was encouraged and supported by the congregation. He was also a talented musician. He played French horn in the Wind Ensemble and piano in the Jazz Band in high school. He lettered all four years and earned the Semper Fidelis award for musical excellence and the Instrumentalist Magazine Merit Award for outstanding contributions, leadership and service to the school's instrumental music program. He was awarded a music scholarship to attend CLU where he was a member of the CLU Symphony and Wind Ensemble. 

Christopher graduated from Jackson High School in 2007. He was a Dean's list student at CLU and earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. His plan of attending law school was thwarted by cancer.

He worked at Columbia Athletic Club as a lifeguard and was well liked by members and staff. He had an excellent work ethic and was committed to customer satisfaction. Sunshine kept the world around him bathed in light. He touched many lives in a truly positive way and will forever be missed. 

Christopher was preceded in death by his grandparents, David and Patricia Graham and Howard and Eva Lou Knorr. He is survived by his parents, Ronald Knorr and Virginia (Ginny) Graham; his brother, Matthew Knorr; his sister, Victoria Knorr; numerous aunts and uncles; cousins; friends; teammates; teachers; and coaches.

The family would like to give thanks for the outpouring of support by family and friends, especially the Lovato family, the Forgrave family, and Pastor Karen Hanson.

Internment was on Memorial Day, May 27, 2013 at Woodlawn cemetery in Snohomish, Washington. Pall bearers included: Jay Lovato (uncle), Bob Forgrave (uncle), Dan Simpson (friend), Sean Fitzpatrick (friend), Chris Vargas (friend), and Mike Jones (friend). Graveside services were led by Pastor Karen Hanson of Advent Lutheran Church.

Funeral Information

To celebrate his life memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 8 at 7:00 pm, in the Advent Lutheran Church sanctuary, 4306 132nd St. SE, Mill Creek, WA. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.

Donations

It was Christopher's wish that any memorial donations be made to California Luthern University.

Memorial

Chris Knorr

An excess of character
Goofy and serious were just two of his features
One God's truly special creatures

Tirelessly working and working tired
He was someone who inspired

Immeasurable strength
And filled with desire
Life burned in him like a fire

Passion and compassion
Never boastful, never bragging
Truly humble to the core
A guy you wouldn't be surprised to find
Asleep on the floor

He was sunshine to so many
A smile is what he brought
And he brought aplenty

He'd show up to work
And work he would
Doing everything he could
"Because I should..."

Didn't matter the obstacle he'd face
He'd conquer them all at his pace
With a look of perseverance upon his face

Things were taken from him
But he didn't complain
He was taken from us
And we should do the same

Because he brought joy to those that knew him
And filled the cup of life to the brim
He'd want us to be happy
And I'm happy that I knew him

Sam W.

Getting Tired

God saw that you were getting tired and a cure was not to be so He put his arm around you and whispered, "Come to Me" With tearful eyes we watched you and saw you pass away although we loved you dearly we could not make you stay A golden heart stopped beating hard working hands at rest God broke our hearts to prove to us that He only takes the best.

Author Unknown