Gordon W. Knapp

The Rev. Gordon W. Knapp of Liverpool passed away at home on March 11, 2026, at the age of 92. Born in Oneida, New York, to Howard F. Knapp and Muriel Taft Knapp, he was educated in the Oneida public schools before attending Colgate University and Colgate Rochester Divinity School. He began his pastoral ministry in the United Methodist Church in 1954 and faithfully served ten congregations over more than six decades. In his later years, he was lovingly named Pastor Emeritus of the Baldwinsville United Methodist Church.

Throughout his long career, Gordon provided steady leadership in the Annual Conference, chairing both the Board of Pensions and the Council on Finance and Administration. He was deeply involved in adult Christian education, served as a camp director at Casowasco, and held the role of Secretary of the Board of Ordained Ministry. His commitment to service extended into the wider community, where he led the Migrant Commission of the New York State Council of Churches, served on the Onondaga County Mental Health Advisory Board, worked as a Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and was elected to the North Syracuse Board of Education.

A 65-year member of Memorial Lodge #648 F&AM, he was also honored as Grand Chaplain Emeritus of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. Gordon cherished his wife and family above all, found deep fulfillment in his calling as a pastor, preacher, and church administrator, and took quiet joy in reading history, writing poetry and satire, listening to classical music, and playing golf with friends.

He was predeceased by his wife of 69 years, Janet Miller Knapp, and his three sisters, Shirley Harris, Marilyn Fish, and Joyce Clinch. He is survived by his children, William H. (Angela) Knapp, Timothy C. (Patricia) Knapp, and Susan K. (Kevin) Lawrence; nine grandchildren, April (Jason) Frank, Laura Owens, Jason Knapp, Erik Williams, Elise (Ting) Khumkwa, Melissa (Nicole) Knapp, Amanda (Donavan) Wilson, Rebecca Lawrence, and Michael Lawrence; and eleven great-grandchildren.