We are men who lead, serve, protect and defend, whether we are giving out Coats for Kids, donating wheelchairs, lending a helping hand in disaster relief efforts, supporting local pregnancy centers or providing top-quality financial products.
What a special honor it is to be selected Knight of the Year; and so it was for John Espree when his name was announced as this fraternal year’s recipient of this prestigious award during the annual Knights of Columbus awards ceremony on June 27, 2026. His story actually begins before John became a Knight. John was simply finishing eating his fish fry meal when he noticed that guys needed some help cleaning up the dining room; so without fanfare or invite he began assisting and did so for a couple weeks until Andy Goza suggested he join the Knights. John then received his 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degrees during the ceremony in March of 2012. From there he has built a reputation of being wherever help is needed. John says, “I’ve always like to help people.” He credits his dad for this characteristic. ”My dad was the pillar of the family when it came to helping others,” says John. John developed this helpful attitude early on from his Louisiana upbringing – first in Mamou and then Vidrine in Evangeline Parish. At age 18, John arrived in Texas. His helpful disposition continued after he became a Knight as he jumped right in as a volunteer at the Valley Ridge concession stand. John will tell you that “the most fun I’ve had as a Knight was working with Ed O’Brien and Frank Hernandez each Saturday morning at the concession stand.” He continues to labor there nearly every Saturday even now. While he initially help clean up after the fish fries, he has since become a regular participant of the fish fries; first as a cook and now working in the front line. John has helped on numerous Knight Hands projects and been present on many, many cookouts. The picture being painted here reflects John’s attitude that he wants the “be available for every call from the Knights.” When you add in that he was an Inside Guard, an outside Guard and a Warden for the council, is a Hospitality Minister at the 5:00 pm Saturday Mass (and has been for years), was the “sound man” for the original exemplification team, always helps at the Fall Festivals set-up and tear down, has been selected as Knight of the Month 5 times, and Family of the Month 5 times, it’s easy to see why he was selected Knight of the Year.
John and his wife of 25 years, Bonnie, joined the Holy Spirit parish community in 2000. While John was very active since he arrived, so was Bonnie. She is a Eucharistic Minister, a Lector, and a Sacristan. Together John and Bonnie have raised three children – Daniel, Johnny and Jenny and from them they have two grandchildren – Jeremiah and Catalina. John is the guy that comes toward you with an outstretched hand and a big smile. Maybe it’s the Louisiana way or maybe it’s because he has worked in outside sales for Kenworth Trucking for the past 38 years where he received the prestigious “top gun” award twice for the top salesperson for the year – both rewarded with a trip to Mexico. John wore no shoes in the summer when he was little because he didn’t have any – just look at him now as the Knight of the Year. “I really like doing projects for the church, like trimming trees, prepping for the new church floor, hanging Christmas decorations.”
John was quite the athlete participating in basketball, tennis and running track in high school. In later years he was crazy about volleyball and softball. Now a-days he is more prone to less active hobbies like walking (he walks about 2 miles a day in his neighborhood), bike riding and fishing – more age appropriate activities.
In the future John says he wants to “just do what I’m doing now…being there for the Knights when they call”. The picture of a man committed to helping others with a happy disposition; a picture of a dedicated Knight looking to help whenever he can.
