Jaye Sterling Knapp

jaye knapp

It is with heavy hearts and great sorrow that we announce the passing of Jaye Sterling Knapp of Canyon Lake, Texas, at the age of 65.
Jaye was blessed to have many loyal friends and was a fun-loving person, always entertaining with margaritas and cocktails. He lived life fully and on his own terms.
Jaye was born February 19,1959 in Dunlap, Illinois to Lloyd Wayne and Betty Ann Knapp. Welcoming him was his brother, Wayne Knapp. Jaye spent his childhood in Illinois; Nebraska; Tokyo, Japan and Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from high school at Howe Military School and went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts degree from Cleveland State University.
He spent his career in various sales positions in Cleveland and later, in Houston. Jaye met his wife Melanie in Houston and they married on October 1, 2003. They opened a residential elevator business, Home Elevator of Houston, in 2012, which Jaye sold in 2022 to retire in the Texas Hill Country.
Jaye will be remembered for his love of football and was a long-time fan of the Nebraska Cornhuskers and a Houston Texans season ticket holder.
Jaye is survived by his devoted wife, Melanie, and his brother, Wayne and wife, Tricia of Nebraska. He leaves behind his children Jason and wife, Mahogany DeCenso, Aaron DeCenso, Tim Knapp of Ohio, Kelsey and husband, Seth Bothner of Houston and Robert Castleman of Pasadena. Also left to mourn his death are his grandchildren, Tim Knapp Jr., Dylan Knapp, Mariah DeCenso, Dylan Bothner and Laine Bothner.
Jaye is preceded in death by his parents, Betty Ann and Lloyd Wayne Knapp.

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  1. Deepest condolences from the De La Garza family. May the Lord provide you strength during this time; praying for his peace.

    (Jessie)

  2. Thank you for the memories,.Jay. You taught me more than you know, sir. Sending our deepest condolences to Melanie and the entire family.
    Beau

  3. We are gonna miss you buddy! Your 30 years in Texas were a blessing. You were an “education” to many of us Texans on your yankee “city-boy” ways (that you were always proud of).

    Wish we had both made it to the hill country sooner to enjoy all it has to offer!

    Your buddy,
    Michael

  4. Really appreciate the opportunities you provided to me. The things I’ve learned and memories will never be forgotten. R.I.P. Jay

  5. I remember when Jaye was born. I knew him to always be a fun-loving, kind, caring and generous soul. There is not room here to recount all of our great memories; all the fun we had together growing up as a family. I loved him so much. He was always like a little brother to me, even though we lived so far apart, and I always will remember him that way. I can’t describe how much I will truly miss him. To Melanie, Aaron, Jason, Tim, and Wayne, I want you to know that I am so sorry. Sincerely, Uncle Joe & Aunt Joye Hearn.

  6. Jay, I am going to miss you. Thank you for everything you taught me and for how much you’ve helped me and my family for many years. You were always the most interesting person telling me the many stories of your past and your adventures. I’ll never forget you!

  7. Uncle Jaye had the spirit of a bon vivant
    and the heart of an empath. When I was in college, he and Michael twice visited me in New Orleans and did Mardi Gras so hard that I could barely keep up (though they had almost 20 years on me!). They came again a few years later to see me in San Francisco – I knew they had arrived when I heard Jaye belting outside my window, “Rice-a-Roni, the San Francisco Treat!” He bonded with my husband immediately over college football, despite the Notre Dame-Neb. rivalry, and warmly welcomed him into the family (though I doubt he ever forgave the pictures we took while he was sleeping with ND gear unknowingly draped over him.) He quickly embraced TX culture and welcomed us to Houston by frying a turkey in the backyard for Thanksgiving (though Jaye with a huge vat of piping hot oil and propane and a cocktail in hand was a little dicey). Even will all the years in TX, he somehow never lost that ambiguous big-city accent (Cleveland crossed with ??).
    But despite the over-the-top vivacious exterior, he was soft and sensitive and caring on the inside (like his mama). That was my true connection with my Uncle Jaye – he made sure that I knew he loved me, cared about my feelings, was proud of me, and would be there if I needed him. Uncle Jaye, laissez le bon temps rouler up there in the sky, and I’ll do my best to keep up when I someday join you for a heavenly Mardi Gras celebration.

  8. I love you Pops. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever been through in my life. I don’t know what I’m going to do without you. The times I’d call on my way home from work. You always gave me the best advice. You were always there unconditionally for me. Nothing will compare to spending your last day with you. I’ll never forget you. I will honor you everyday. Thank you for everything. I love you Dad. Rest in peace

  9. Jaye and I became good friends in Houston: two Midwest city boys in Texas. He was tough but he had a soft heart. He loved his Nebraska Cornhuskers and Cleveland’s teams ( but never could call the baseball team the Guardians). He also liked his Manhattans and martinis. We frequented many bars together and they will all miss him, as I will. RIP.

  10. “I don’t know what to say, but this must be very hard for you”, “Losing someone we love is never easy” There are no words to convey how terrible this is. You are in my prayers.🙏🙏

  11. Just heard about this, I only knew Jaye a short while, our firm helped him sell his business recently, peach of a guy, thoroughly enjoyed working with him. I am saddened that he didn’t have more time to spend with family in retirement in the Hill Country. My prayers go out to Melanie and all his family.


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