John Knight

John K. Knight was born December 5, 1940, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, to John Clarence and Jennie Mae (Holland) Knight. John passed from this life to heaven on August 2, 2025. 

The greatest comfort to John’s family is that he knew Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. In a tent revival in Kentucky at a young age, John chose to trust Jesus and followed that decision with a river baptism. He stayed true to that decision his whole life.

John married his high school sweetheart, Rose (Thornton), on August 14, 1960, and they were soon to celebrate 65 years of a joy-filled, loving marriage. John was raised in the Missionary Baptist Church, and after they were married, Rose joined him as a member of the Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Gould, Arkansas. 

In every stage of life, John and Rose joined and faithfully served in the church, including several churches in Texas; First Baptist Church of Star City, Arkansas, where he served as a Deacon, Chair of Deacons, Sunday School Superintendent and Teacher; First Baptist Church of Cabot, Arkansas, where he was a Deacon and taught a Couples Sunday School class, and where he and Rose were part of a faith evangelism ministry and new members ministry mentoring new believers and church members; and most recently and finally, First Baptist Church of Arkadelphia, where he served as a Deacon and Chair of Deacons.

John was an alum of Star City High School and Arkansas A&M, where he was a member of the football team. John also served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves.

John’s early career began with Tennessee Gas in Cleveland, Texas, and Tenneco Chemical, Inc. in LaPorte, Texas. After moving back to Arkansas, he joined his father-in-law at Fred Thornton Ford as General Manager over all business operations, then purchased the dealership and renamed it Knight Ford, Inc. For several years, he contracted with Frizzell Farms as an agricultural pilot, then flew for Berry Aviation assisting the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service with aerial duck surveys. In 1988, John was offered a position as the Assistant Director of the State of Arkansas Department of Aeronautics, then was appointed by Governor Bill Clinton and sworn in by Governor Jim Guy Tucker as Director of the Department in 1992. John served under four Arkansas Governors (Clinton, Tucker, Mike Huckabee, and Mike Beebe) and had a good working relationship on “both sides of the aisle” for many years as he endeavored to serve all people of the state of Arkansas. He took pride that the capital funding improvements for every public airport across the state were funded only by aviation taxes, and during John’s tenure, the annual aviation department budget of $500k increased to $15 million. He particularly enjoyed traveling with Governor Jim Guy Tucker and his cabinet in his “Capital for a Day” program which allowed them to visit with mayors and airport managers across the state. 

John’s career as a pilot began in 1965 upon attaining his private license that grew with advanced certificates and a professional aviation career. His many accomplishments included receiving the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for 50 years of safe flying; being featured in Arkansas Business magazine; receiving the National Business Aviation Association Silk Scarf Award; and serving as President of the National Association of State Aviation Officials from which he received the Kenneth A. Rowe Ambassador of Aviation Award. He was a long-time member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Arkansas Aviation Historical Society (AAHS). In the AAHS, John served on the Board which selects scholarships for Henderson State University aviation students. He was distinctly honored by his induction into the Arkansas Aviation Historical Society Hall of Fame in 2015. 

After retirement, John’s public papers from his service on the Arkansas’ Governor’s cabinet were requested and donated to the Ouachita Baptist University Riley Hickingbotham Library. Additionally, the City of Arkadelphia has recently announced that its airport terminal will be named in honor of John for his support of the many improvements to the airport and facility.

John had several other interests, but foremost he was an avid fan of the Ouachita Tiger Football team. Almost every afternoon in the fall, he could be found on the sidelines supporting the Tigers by encouraging players and grading practice energy. Time spent with family at the Gould Hunting Club on Big Island was also a great love, and he served as president of the Gould Club for many years. He most enjoyed hunting with his grandsons and showing them how a true sportsman behaves. John was also a member of the Shriners and a Master Mason. 

More than any of these accomplishments or interests, John’s marriage with Rose and his love for their sons, daughters by marriage, five grandchildren, their spouses, and five (with one on the way) great-grandchildren were always his priority. Not once has his commitment ever waivered, and it is a steady foundation for the family even as “Big” has gone on ahead. 

John was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Roland Knight; and sisters Nell Jones and Shirley Gasaway.

Survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Rose Knight; sons Tim (Tracey) Knight and Todd (Julie) Knight; grandchildren Ashley Knight, Caleb (Montana) Knight, Casey (Ean) Robinson, Spencer (Megan) Knight, and Jake (Kelsey) Knight; and great grandchildren Levi, Emma, Jett, Harper, and Tiger Knight, and Jax Robinson; a brother-in-law Reed (Gloria) Thornton; and many beloved nephews, nieces, and friends. 

Funeral services were held Wednesday, August 6, in the First Baptist Church sanctuary. Interment was at Dark Corner Cemetery in Gould, Arkansas.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ouachita Baptist University Patterson School of Natural Sciences or the Ouachita Tiger Gridiron Club at http://www.obu.edu/give.