Harry T. McKnight

Harry Thomas McKnight of Columbus, Ohio passed away on Sunday, June 11, 2023 of natural causes. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 21, 1926. He was the son of William Harold McKnight and Cora Irene (Jackson) McKnight. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara, sons, Tim and Tom, 8 grand children and 8 great-grandchildren and one deceased, 6 nieces and 8 nephews. Also surviving are his brother Bill of Westerville, Ohio and sisters Rose Holan of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and Mary Vargo of Johnstown, Ohio. Harry lived a very long and distinguished life as an athlete (football, pole vaulter and diver), World War II veteran, photographer, pilot, teacher and coach. He demonstrated his Christian beliefs by serving faithfully in many leadership callings within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including, Sunday school president, Bishop, High Councilor, Mission Presidency, Stake Patriarch and Temple Sealer. He graduated from East High School in 1944 and quickly enlisted in the US Marines. He spent the last days of World War II fighting on the island of Okinawa in preparation for the invasion of Japan. Upon returning home after the war, he enrolled at Ohio State and joined the Ohio Air National Guard, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1976. While a student at OSU he was a member of the track team and earned three letters as a pole vaulter and aided his team to two Big Ten championships. After earning his bachelors degree in physical education, he began teaching and coaching at East high school. In order to continue competing at the amateur level as a pole vaulter, he and a good friend, Jerry Welborn, started the Ohio track club in 1954. They would compete together for many years and were among the top five pole vaulters in the country at that time. In 1958 he met the love of his life in a psychology class at OSU, Barbara Herbster and within six weeks were engaged. They were married on June 27, 1959. They were married nearly 64 years and together had two sons, Tim and Tom. In 1959 he began coaching the newly formed Women’s Division of Ohio Track Club. They went on to win a several national championship, which led to his nomination to coach the US men and women’s track and field team in the Pan AM games. He was later selected to coach the US Women’s Track Team against the Soviets in Richmond, Virginia in 1973. It was the first time the US women’s team had defeated the Soviets in track and field. In 1976 he led the US Men and Women’s track team against the Soviets in a dual meet in Leningrad, Russia. Harry taught Biology, Chemistry, Photography, Aviation Science and Drivers Education. Throughout his teaching career he coached cross country, track & field and football at the newly formed Walnut Ridge High School from 1963 until his retirement in 1986. He was beloved by his students for his wit, fairness, and the expert way in which he taught his students to excel in the sciences. His goal was to make learning fun. In 1970 he was inducted into the Ohio State Track Hall of Fame after coaching several Ohio State pole vaulters who went on to win Big 10 championships. In 2019, he received the distinguished Hometown Hero Award from the US Track and Field Association for his impact on the sport nationally. In January 2022 he was awarded The Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame award. After his retirement in 1986 he flew for Lane Aviation and Columbia Gas and continued to serve as a volunteer coach, and in many callings within his church. He traveled with his wife Barbara, and spent much of his time supporting his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as their families grew. At the age of 91 he was invited to the Ohio State versus Army football game where he did push-ups with the cadets after each touchdown. He started this practice at the age of 85 and even a year before his passing, he was doing push-ups for each point Ohio State scored in a football game. His goal was to dot the “I” with a push-up at an OSU football game at the age of 100. He will be loved and missed by his family, friends, former students and athletes, and his church family. Calling hours will take place on Friday, June 16th from 5-8 PM at SCHOEDINGER EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5360 East Livingston Avenue in Columbus, Ohio 43232.A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, June 17th, 2023 at 1 PM in the chapel area of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 2135 Baldwin Rd., Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068. A brief viewing will take place from 12:00-12:45 PM prior to the service. Private interment.