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A Few Words on Celebrities' Favorite Words

March 16, 1997 | DENNIS McLELLAN, TIMES STAFF WRITER

Celebrities are used to being approached by strangers wanting something from them. But what Vick Knight Jr. asked of hundreds of famous people over the past several decades had nothing to do with pictures or autographs: "May I have a word with you? More precisely, may I have a word from you?" The words generated by Knight's unusual request are enough to fill a book. Knight's "My Word!"

KNIGHT, Vick, Jr. 1928 – 2013 Educator and playful, witty rascal. Born Lakewood, Ohio, rooted for many years in Hollywood, California. Attended Gardner St. School, Bancroft Jr. High and Hollywood High. In the forties, he delivered the Hollywood Citizen News and also flowers for Benny the Parisian Florist where he socialized and perfected his gift of gab. Enlisted in US Navy and served with Armed Forces Radio Services in Hollywood during WW 2. With help from the GI Bill, Vick went to USC (their biggest fan!) and was affiliated with Skull & Dagger, Phi Sigma Kappa, Theta Nu Episilon and E Clampus Vitus. Vick's career in California public education dates to 1952 when he first taught sixth grade in Pico Rivera. He taught in Whittier, Placentia and Yorba Linda and also served as Principal, Superintendendent of Schools and University Dean. Vick was named Distinguished Citizen, awarded the Kiwanis International Legion of Merit and one of California's Fine Outstanding Young Men. He was a popular and effortless public speaker and created The West Atwood Yacht Club where he served as Commodore J. Herringbone Tweed. Among his books are Send for Hayam Solomon, My WORD and the irreverent spoof Snakes of Hawaii. After retirement, Vick served Children's Hospital of Orange County as Director of Development. Like fine wine, Vick got better as he aged. He became an Outstanding Old Man, a life-long learner who completed his doctorate and went on to study Ancient Mayan culture at numerous Central American sites, travelling with UCLA, Howard University and New York State University. A new chapter began when he moved to Canyon Lake where he served 13 years on the Lake Elsinore Unified District Board ofTrustees and was elected to the Riverside County School Board in 2004 where he later served as President and retired in 2012. Dr. Knight Founded the Friends of the Library at UC Irvine. Predeceased by his parents Vick and Janice Knight (Hollywood). – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/latimes/obituary.aspx?pid=168386536#sthash.kST23Tg8.dpuf

His father started the March of Dimes.

Randall T. Freeman, PhD

Early Childhood Education