Harry Kight

Harry Edward Kight, age 89, of Deep Creek Lake, MD and Severna Park, MD, passed away on April 15, 2014 in Severna Park after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Harry was born October 21, 1924 in Barnum, WV to Viola Derham Kight and Harry Edward Kight. Harry graduated from Bruce High School, Westernport, MD in 1942, and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, a part of that time stationed in France. On his return, he attended Concord College, Athens, WV, playing clarinet with the Concord Commanders and earning a music degree. At Concord, Harry met Ruth Harvey of Greenville, WV. They married in 1950, and moved to White Sulphur Springs where Harry taught music and completed a Master's Degree at Marshall University. They later moved to Boonsboro, MD where both began their teaching careers with Washington County Schools. Harry was the founding director of the Williamsport (MD) High School "Blue Band" and over the next 28 years built the program into a national powerhouse with award winning concert, marching and jazz ensembles, winning awards throughout the mid-Atlantic region as well as in Texas and Florida. In 1964, the Kights built a cottage at Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County, MD. The lake proved a gathering place for family, friends and grandchildren for five decades. In 1994, Harry and Ruth retired to a permanent residence on Beckman's Peninsula, Deep Creek Lake, continuing to spend winter months in Venice, FL. Upon retirement, Harry returned to his first love in music - playing clarinet for a live audience, and over the next 30 years, Harry performed live over 100 times in Hagerstown, Venice, Florida, and in and around Deep Creek Lake and Garrett County. Harry recorded and released two CDs, "The Lake House Sessions" in 2009 and "Marker 87" in 2011. He performed as a soloist, with his group - the "Jazz All Stars", with the Garrett County Concert Band and Autumn Glory Oktoberfest Band, and as a guest with a number of jazz, Dixieland, and Broadway style groups. In June of last year, he was a featured performer with his latest group, "The New Jazz All Stars", as part of the Garrett Lakes Art Festival summer concert series. Harry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Helen Ruth Harvey Kight, and their three children, Kellan (Randy) Sarles of Princeton, WV, Sally (Richard) Gallena of Severna Park, MD, and Harry Edward Kight III and Mary Applegate of Arnold, MD. "Gramps" was enormously proud of his five grandchildren Ben Sarles (fiancee Jackie Nelson) of Princeton, Andy (Kelsey) Sarles of Knoxville, TN, Richard Gallena of Arlington, VA, Evan Gallena of Hanover, MD, and Rachel Gallena of Severna Park. He also leaves to cherish his memory the thousands of "band kids" who adored Mr. Kight and the thousands of people who have been delighted and inspired by his music and sense of humor. Prior of their recent move to Severna Park, Harry and Ruth were active members of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Deep Creek Lake, MD. A time of visitation will be held Monday evening, April 21, from 6 - 8 PM at Burdock-Fredlock Funeral Home, P.A.,, 21 N Second Street, Oakland. A celebration of Harry's life will be conducted at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Second Street, Oakland, MD at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, with a reception to follow at the church. The Reverend Scott Robinson will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122 or the Garrett Lakes Arts Festival (GLAF) at 687 Mosser RD McHenry, MD 21541. Friends may leave online condolences at www.burdockfredlockfh.com.

Service Information