I often marvel at the quiet forces behind famous names. Lota Hatfield Knight represents just that. Born on January 22 1916 in the small town of Roseburg Oregon she grew up in a place where community and family came first. Her parents Harry F. Hatfield and Relvia Gertrude Matthews Hatfield provided a stable foundation. She attended Benson Grade School and later Roseburg High School. Those early years shaped her into a woman of quiet strength and devotion. Like a steady oak tree in the Oregon woods she rooted her life in simple values that would one day support towering achievements.
A Marriage That Lasted Through Decades
On March 4 1937 Lota married William W. Knight. The couple soon relocated to Portland. There they settled in the Eastmoreland neighborhood. William worked as a lawyer and later became publisher of the Oregon Journal in 1953. I see their union as a partnership built on shared values. Together they created a home filled with love and encouragement for creativity and independence. Their life together spanned 44 years until his passing. Lota stood as the calm center through every chapter.
Raising the Next Generation
Lota devoted herself to homemaking and raising three children. Her eldest Phil Hampson Knight arrived on February 24 1938. He would go on to co found Nike. Then came the twin daughters in 1941: Jeanne and Joanne. Lota nurtured them all with care. Like a lighthouse guiding ships through fog she offered steady support as her son built his business empire starting in the 1960s. She focused on home life yet inspired independence in each child. Her days revolved around family routines church activities and quiet encouragement. No spotlight ever called her name yet her influence shaped everything that followed.
Phil married Penny Parks in 1968. Jeanne wed Michael Seppa in January 1968 and moved to a dairy farm in Astoria. Joanne stayed closer to Portland. Lota remained the family glue even as Nike grew from a tiny venture into a global giant. She joined All Saints Episcopal Church and served there for many years. Her role stayed private. She never sought public attention. Still her three children thrived because of the foundation she laid.
The Family Tree Unfolds: Children and Grandchildren in Detail
Her son Phil represented Nike’s prosperity. But Lota was root. Travis, Matthew, and Christina were Phil and Penny’s children. Travis, a 1972 birth, runs Laika animation and sits on Nike’s board Two children from his marriage to Maryse. A scuba mishap in El Salvador killed 34-year-old Matthew in May 2004. He receives the Matthew Knight Arena from Oregon. Christina keeps a low profile.
Jeanne enriched the family. The first employee at Blue Ribbon Sports, now Nike, was Jeanne. She and Mike had 27 grandchildren and seven adoptive children. Jeanne died in Astoria June 26, 2025. Her July 12, 2025 memorial honored her religion and mentoring. In Christian ministries, she taught Sunday school and sponsored Operation Christmas Child. Her hobbies were award-winning cross stitch gardening and scrapbooking. Joanne, the other twin, lived quietly in Portland. Little is known about her life, however she survived her mother and sister. William W. Knight died February 19, 1981. Lota remained alone till March 8, 2007. She died at 91 from hip fracture complications. At Skyline Memorial Gardens in Portland, she rests.
I consider how these figures show endurance: one marriage, three children, seven adoptive grandkids, 27 great grandchildren, and legacies from 1916 to 2025 and beyond. Lota never sought stardom. Her family touches animation sports philanthropy and spiritual communities throughout Oregon and beyond.
Key Moments Captured in Time
To understand her journey better here is an extended timeline.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1916 | Birth in Roseburg on January 22 |
| 1937 | Marriage to William on March 4 |
| 1938 | Son Phil born February 24 |
| 1941 | Twin daughters Jeanne and Joanne born |
| 1953 | Husband becomes Oregon Journal publisher |
| 1968 | Phil marries Penny and Jeanne marries Mike |
| 1981 | William passes on February 19 |
| 2004 | Grandson Matthew dies in May at age 34 |
| 2007 | Lota passes on March 8 at age 91 |
| 2025 | Daughter Jeanne dies on June 26 with memorial July 12 |
This table highlights the key dates that defined her 91 years. Each entry marks a shift. Each one carries the weight of love loss and quiet perseverance.
Deeper Family Bonds and Relationships
Lota was Roseburg-born and Oregon-connected. Second cousin to former Governor Mark Hatfield. She lost her parents in 1973 and 1967. No siblings are recorded. Her lawyer and publisher husband William offered stability. All the kids carved trails. Phil founded Nike, while Lota promoted early independence. Jeanne dedicated herself to faith and family. Her adopted children and descendants offered love. Joanne is private in Portland.
Ggrandchildren carry on. Travis animated award-winning Kubo and the Two Strings. His Nike board seat relates to the family business. An arena named after Matthew created a lasting impression. Christina contributes quietly. Jeanne’s 27 great-grandchildren enrich the tree. These interactions establish a web stronger than business achievement. Lota connects everything. Her life was like a calm river, nurturing every branch without credit.
FAQ
How many children did Lota Hatfield Knight raise and what were their names?
Lota Hatfield Knight raised three children in total. Her son was Phil Hampson Knight born in 1938. The twin daughters were Jeanne Knight Seppa and Joanne Knight born around 1941. Each child pursued unique paths while carrying forward the values she instilled through daily example and steady love.
Who was Lota Hatfield Knight’s husband and what was his profession?
Her husband was William W. Knight. He worked first as a lawyer and then took on the role of publisher for the Oregon Journal starting in 1953. Their marriage lasted from 1937 until his passing in 1981. He helped create the stable home environment Lota cherished and raised their family in Portland Eastmoreland.
What tragic event affected the Knight family in 2004?
In May 2004 grandson Matthew Knight died at age 34 during a scuba diving accident in El Salvador. He was filming a video for a Portland nonprofit. The family honored his memory by funding the Matthew Knight Arena at the University of Oregon turning sorrow into a lasting tribute.
When and where did Lota Hatfield Knight pass away?
Lota Hatfield Knight died on March 8 2007 in Portland Oregon. She was 91 years old. Complications from a broken hip led to her passing. She is buried at Skyline Memorial Gardens in the city she called home for decades after moving there in 1937.
What roles did her grandchildren play in continuing the family legacy?
Travis Knight directs animations and leads Laika studio. He serves on Nike board. Matthew left a lasting impact through the arena named in his honor after his 2004 passing. Christina maintains privacy. The seven adopted children of Jeanne and their 27 offspring expand the family branches further into new generations of service and creativity.
Did Lota Hatfield Knight have a professional career outside the home?
No public records show Lota in a formal career. She focused fully on homemaking and family. Her support enabled her children’s successes. Membership in All Saints Episcopal Church marked her community involvement for many years and defined her quiet yet profound contribution.
