Obituary for Jacob “Jake” Knight

Jacob “Jake” Knight, 57, of Carlsbad, California, passed away peacefully on November 13, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on January 4, 1968, in Visalia, California, Jake was the seventh youngest of eight children and grew up amid the farmlands of the San Joaquin Valley. His early years shaped his independence, resilience, and ability to navigate life with clarity, determination, and heart.

Jake’s childhood in the Central Valley ignited a lifelong passion for running. A standout cross-country athlete, he ran a 4:24 mile and competed with a fierce competitive spirit. After transferring to Estancia High School in Orange County as a sophomore, his drive led him to faster times and ultimately to a running scholarship at Cal State Long Beach. Though injuries shifted his path away from racing, Jake embraced a new passion, academics, particularly business and finance.

He graduated in 1990 with a degree in Finance, approaching learning with the same intensity and curiosity he brought to athletics. Jake never did anything halfway. He devoured books, sought mentorship from professors, analyzed data for fun, and spent long hours in the campus library, where he met Shandra while studying across a table. A brief conversation blossomed into a 35-year love story.

After college, Jake earned a prestigious internship with Smith Barney. He passed the Series 7 exam with an extraordinary 99%,the highest score they had ever seen. Yet, in true Jake fashion, he followed his instincts and chose a different direction.

During a challenging job market, he took a position at JAX Bike Shop in Huntington Beach, where late-night conversations with fellow over-educated coworkers sparked an idea that would become his first major entrepreneurial leap. Jake co-founded World’s Ocean Media, a free-action-sports publication Wave Action that quickly captured the attention of the industry. Their first paid sponsor, Volcom, helped launch the company into a family of five monthly magazines. In 1993, Entrepreneur Magazine named Jake and his partners among the Top 45 Young Entrepreneurs in the nation.

With no formal background in publishing, Jake once again immersed himself fully, buying every book, cold-calling industry CFOs, and mastering the business with the diligence of someone seasoned for decades. As the action sports world consolidated, Jake and his partners sold the company to BlueTorch in 1998.

That same year, Jake and Shandra welcomed their first son, Carter, in 1998. Fatherhood fulfilled him profoundly. In 2001, their second son, Coby, was born early and spent ten days in the NICU. Jake divided every six hours between his boys, determined to be present for each of them.

Jake’s professional journey continued when he met Keith Griffiths at a conference. With Keith’s publishing skills and Jake’s finance skills it was easy to propose a partnership that became the foundation of what is now known as The RedFlash Group. He poured himself into this new chapter, using his sharp financial mind, natural leadership, and deep integrity to help build a thriving organization.

Outside of work, Jake’s greatest joy was always his family. He was a devoted husband to Shandra, and a proud, loving father to Carter (27) and Coby (24). Whether coaching CYB, helping with math homework at the kitchen table, or talking about life goals, Jake guided his boys with gentleness, depth, and unwavering love. He believed in integrity above all else and taught those around him to lead with honesty, even when it was difficult.

Jake had a lifelong love of baseball. He knew the game with the precision of a seasoned analyst, from predicting how a pitch would be hit to studying player statistics. He collected coaching books, charted drills, and coached CYB with enthusiasm, often correctly predicting which 8-year-olds would one day play in the MLB. Many of them now do.

When Coby chose to attend LSU, Jake immediately immersed himself in LSU baseball. From 2021 onward, he watched every game, followed every podcast, and proudly traveled to Baton Rouge to visit Coby and catch games in person. LSU baseball became his team, winning national championships in 2023 and 2025, victories he celebrated with heartfelt joy.

Jake was a man who loved deeply and quietly. He valued one-on-one conversations more than crowds, enjoyed early morning walks along the lagoon, often sending photos of the sunrise, and cherished dinners with close friends. He was a mentor, a thinker, and someone who always asked others about their goals, encouraging three-year plans and steady personal growth.

Jake is survived by his wife, Shandra; his sons, Carter and Coby; his siblings Willie Knight, Jacqueline Knight, and Janet Petrie; his in-laws Robert and Susan Merlo; and his brother- and sister-in-law Brian and Monica Merlo. He also leaves behind six beloved nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and four siblings.

A Celebration of Life will begin with Mass on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church

3821 Adams St., Carlsbad, CA 92008

A reception will follow at:

The Crossings at Carlsbad

5800 The Crossings Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to help create The Jake Knight Foundation supporting those in Public Safety in Jake’s honor.

We would love for all to attend one or both of the ceremonies, leave or post a photo at the following, https://everloved.com/life-of…

Jake’s legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched. His love, integrity, humor, and gentle spirit shaped his family, his community, and his work. He will be forever missed and forever remembered.

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