Marques I. Knight, 24

Marques was a young man who struggled with the desire to belong to a loving family and the fear that he didn't deserve it. He had a tender heart, a wicked sense of humor, was very intuitive and overflowed with compassion for others. Our family was blessed to call him our son and brother for the last 7 years of his life. The heartache we feel in losing him is covered in knowing that what Marques wanted most in life, to be held in loving arms and belong to a loving family, he now has with his Father and family in heaven. He is finally at peace.

I am a resident of San Juan Capistrano & was just at a concert in the local park, there were Marines there & they held a silent prayer for you, everyone stood & a large crowd was silent & I cried a tear for you today. I am so very sorry for your life was way too short. I will remember that moment, even though I didn't know you.

Marques was a strong person, growning up he always wanted better for himself and those he loved. He was the type of person if he could do it on his own, he wouldn't hesitate to do so. He was so amazingly tall, and so gorgeous in every aspect...and most of all he could keep you laughing for days with no end. I always looked at him amazed, one because he stood over everyone like a giant, and also because despite his life and the hand he was dealt he never quit, never stumbled without a quick recovery and never lost hope of making a better future for himself and those he truly loved. Always in my memories and in my heart will be your smirks, your sense of humor, your beautiful eyebrows and the way they raised while you were giving "the look", the way you always seemed so big and how I could never be as big as you, I love you dearly and I not only thank you for being who and what you were to me but protecting not only me but everyone with your service. Love you always and forever.

Mark was part of my family. Not by blood but by love. I first met him in high school and then we became good friends when we moved into the same neighborhood while in high school. He was just a marvelous person inside and out. I miss his laugh more than anything else. No matter how hard he had it, he would always have us laughing. He loved his sister with every ounce of his heart and did a great job being a great big brother. He even adpoted my little brother and sister as his own. He lives in all our hearts and will be dearly missed. I want people not to just remember the true solider that he was, but remember the man who knew how to show love even when it wasn't shown to him.

Its sad because I havent seen Mark in a while, and I randomly asked a mutual friend if he and Mark still talk last night. I first met him back in high school, we hung out in the same complex, his whole family was cool and I would go over to his house everyday even when he left for the army. He always knew what he wanted, a couple of years older than me but still hung out with me, one in million he was and always will be. R.I.P. bruh.