At 79 years old, Kent Knee admits it is becoming more difficult to remember everyone’s name. But at Trinity Episcopal Day School, it is not hard to notice that everyone there knows his.

With the recent news Trinity will close its doors at the end of this school year in May, Knee has started to realize just how much he has seen the Saints accomplish athletically. After more than 40 years of dedication, the names are not the only thing that Knee remembers.

“I’ve got to watch so many kids grow up,” he said. “Most people do know who I am, so it’s always been hard to wonder if I will ever see them again. There’s just too many memories.”

Over the years, Knee has volunteered his time mainly to taking statistics while also photographing, among other duties. From football to track, tennis, basketball, softball and baseball, he has it all down pat.

Beginning as a clock operator for basketball, Knee slowly progressed to keeping the books and becoming more integrated in the school before and after retiring from his job working in state welfare in 2004.

Included in his tenure, Knee has missed just four baseball games since beginning his involvement in the early 1970s.

“I got to experience a lot,” he said. “I got to ride the bus — I got a spot. I wasn’t just an observer. I got to be a part of it.”

As things are coming closer to an end, Knee said the realization of his impact has become more prevalent.

Former Trinity instructor Jim Foster met Knee — originally from Lincoln, Neb. — when they both worked summer camps at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, eventually playing a large part in Knee’s move to Natchez in 1967. Foster said the number of years his friend has devoted to the school speaks for itself.

“He is a very dedicated person, and he was there every time he was supposed to be there,” Foster said. “He worked every chance he got, and he just kept adding things to what he did.”

Knee said the time spent with the Saints has done more for him than anyone.

“I was always grateful for it because I guess you could say, ‘What else would I have done?’” he said. “I’ve always tried not to impose. I just wanted to do something that mattered to the kids and me.

“When I was doing it, I didn’t think so much about it. Nowadays, you look back and you can see how well these kids are doing and it’s great.”

With good times come some not as good, but Knee has done his best to take the moments in stride.

At the Saints’ MAIS Class A State Championship this past November at Jackson Academy, Knee was knocked to the ground as a Trinity player came dashing full-speed toward the sideline. He said he didn’t mind, especially since Trinity scored a touchdown on the very next play.

“That’s happened a couple times, and I was stunned a little bit,” he said. “What threw me about that one is that he ran all the way across the field and crossed over to my side. I got a picture of him right before he hit me, but if he had screwed it up and not made the touchdown, they would have been taking pictures of me chasing him down the field.”

Despite his photography skills, Knee has gotten his share of recognition, too. He recently scored the winning basket at Trinity’s student-faculty basketball game two weeks ago.

“It was fun,” he said. “I guess someone committed a foul right at the buzzer so they told me I could shoot free throws. Well, I can’t shoot so they let me stand right underneath the basket and I made the last two points.”

Knee also recently recorded his last set of numbers in Clyde Adams Gymnasium as the Saints played their final home basketball game on Jan. 24.

“When it was over, it hit,” Knee said. “Everyone went up to take a big picture and then I got to thinking about it a little bit. It’s been so many years I’ve watched them play.”

Reflecting on his time, Knee said the most important part has been the chance to see former athletes achieve great things. Watching former Saints move on, including some professional athletes such as running back Stevan Ridley and pitcher Jake Winston, Knee still makes time to find a Saint when he can.

“I’ve been to a couple of Cathedral games and (Adams County Christian School) games, too,” he said. “I never was a teacher or an administrator, but being a part of this is great. I’m just riding along, and I really am thankful because it has been a marvelous thing to see it happen.”

Sadly, Knee knows Trinity isn’t closing by accident. Numbers of students have left the school over the years.

“They wanted the school to keep going, but there just wasn’t enough money or people,” Knee said. “I didn’t know how to handle it — what to think about it there for a while. I just know too many people, and I knew what affect it would have on them.

“This school has a long history of so many successes, and it’s very disappointing that it just kind of petered out.”

The future is uncertain for many people in the Trinity family, but Knee said he is sure he will still be a familiar face.

“My sister is really the one that pointed that out to me,” Knee said. “She comes here every Christmas and when we go different places to eat, she always points out when everybody says ‘Hello.’”

Looking back, Knee said he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s not something to brag about, but I do feel comfortable in the sense that I am part of the community,” he said.

While the doors to Trinity are still open, there is still plenty of time for opportunity. The Saints head into the MAIS District 4-A Basketball Tournament this week, and still have a season of track and baseball remaining.

For Knee, he said moving on will be difficult but the decision to do so is simple. After all, he is a Saint.

“I’m just going to do what I do,” he said.