Kent Randolph Knudson
November 11, 1949 - September 25, 2010

“The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.- Edmund Burke (1729-1797)”

Kent Randolf Knudson, longtime Valley activist, died September 25, 2010 in Phoenix when he took his own life.

Knudson was known for his life of activism and fighting for social justice, among many other things. His most well-known stand was when he led the 9/11 Truth movement in the Valley of the Sun, which included a 9/11 Truth & Accountability Conference where he shed light on another side of the story behind what happened September 11, 2001. He also fought for human rights, the environment, sustainability and ending US military occupations.

Another noteworthy chapter in Knudson’s life began in Snowflake, Arizona while caring for his elderly mother. Upon returning home one day he shot a cow that was said to be on his property, claiming self-defense. This caused him to fall into years of legal troubles, which prompted him to later expand his activism and devote time to repealing open range laws, ending malicious prosecution, prison reform and inmate rights and promoting jury nullification and court reform.

He had recently been suffering from depression over his many legal problems, facing felony charges, possible jail time and other factors, which led him to end his own life.

Knudson leaves behind his sister Cathy Leavitt, nephews Brent Leavitt and Thomas Leavitt, niece Paula Thompson, companion Sarah Fox, friend Sham Rao, his cat Ewok and the local activist community.

Services will be held at the Arizona Biltmore Resort Wednesday, October 6, 2010. Visitation will be 7 to 8 p.m., and the memorial will be 8 to 10 p.m. Family and friends suggest that formal and activist attire are both acceptable.

The burial will be at the Snowflake Cemetery in Snowflake, Arizona on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at 3 p.m.