Tommy McKnight

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Tommy Lamar McKnight.

Born on August 4th, 1948, to Ralph McKnight and Helen McKnight, Tommy passed away on the evening of March 24, 2025, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center at the age of 76.

Tommy was the adored patriarch of the McKnight family, as he was a cherished son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather to each member of his family. He was an avid fisherman and a lover of all things Mississippi State Bulldogs, but most importantly, he was a servant of the Lord.

Tommy began his educational journey as a graduate of Ethel High School in the class of '66.

Upon graduation, he attended Holmes Community College of Goodman, MS, where he obtained a degree in Industrial Technology. After attending Holmes, he furthered his education at Mississippi State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Education.

After finishing his schooling, Tommy and his father Ralph started a family construction business in 1972, and Ralph McKnight & Son Construction was born. The business first started out as a residential company building homes that eventually grew with the blood, sweat, and tears of Ralph and Tommy into a commercial contractor corporation, building structures all over the state of Mississippi. Tommy was a well-respected businessman and the definition of a persevering and hard worker, which ultimately led him to honor and prosperity.

Tommy was a man of God, serving across multiple institutions and administrations to help lead more to the light of Christianity. Tommy served forty years at the Wesley Biblical Seminary on the Board of Directors as well as holding the position as Prevost for the Wesley Biblical Seminary for two years as well. He served on the Association of Independent Methodists as a Layman, Secretary, and Treasurer. In addition to those positions, he also proudly managed the role of the American Family Radio Association on the Board of Directors, and he also performed the duties of the Mississippi National Guard as a former radio command specialist to his county. Tommy was an athletics enthusiast, and you could always find him cheering on and supporting his sons years ago and, most recently, his three grandchildren in every event that they had.

Tommy had a deep passion for fishing, and his desire for fishing led him to fish the Bassmaster Everstart Trail for thirteen years as a professional fisherman, as well as countless other fishing tournaments where he spread the Word of God to everyone who was given the opportunity to step in a boat with him. Tommy's two loves were God and his family, which were illuminated every day through his radiant personality and his genuine heart of gold. He was diligent, faithful, very honorable, and a man of goodness and integrity.

Tommy is preceded in death by his father and mother, Ralph McKnight and Helen McKnight, and his sister, Sandra Threet. He is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Vonda McKnight, his sons Jason McKnight and Bryan McKnight (Melanie), and his grandchildren Marla Ray McKnight, Bryson Terry McKnight, and Beauen Doss McKnight. We are saddened by this loss but rejoice knowing he is in heaven.

Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 28, at Jordan Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 28, at Jordan Funeral Home, with burial to follow at Parkway Cemetery. Rev. Mike Weldon and Rev. Chris Weldon will officiate the services.

Pallbearers are Kevin Harvey, Jared Ingram, William Shane Black, Joey Reagan, Russell Adcock, and Lee Threet. Honorary pallbearers are Bobby Crow, Joe Ballard, Joe Adcock, John David McGary, and Larry Keith.