Alfred Walter Knight

Our father, Alfred Walter Knight, passed away at the age of 88 on Sunday, August 22, 2021. He was born on September 4, 1932 in Tennille, Georgia to Fred and Susie Knight. Alfred was also known by “Al” and by family and friends as “Jack.”

Alfred was preceded in death by his father Fred, mother Susie, bothers Winston and Tommy, and sisters Sybil, Sue and Betty. Alfred is survived by his loving wife Marilyn, his four sons and their spouses, John and Karen, Tom and Sonya, Rick and Joni, Jeff and Elizabeth, his brother Frank and spouse Johnnie and his brother-in-law Jimmie Mercer and spouse Lou. He was blessed with seven grandchildren, Allison, Jennifer, Michael, Brittany, Chelsea, Lauren and Brandon and six great-grandchildren, Braeden, Brennan, Rylee, Gavin, Lucas and Zachary.

Alfred joined the US Air Force on April 7, 1952 and eloped on September 5, 1952, marrying Marilyn Mercer in Eastman, Georgia. They would have celebrated 69 years of marriage on September 5. He served his country for 22 years, being deployed to Canada and Africa and assigned across Europe with his family. He attended Georgia Military College and graduated from Southwest Texas State University. Alfred retired as a MSGT from the Air Force July 1, 1974, in San Antonio, Texas.

Upon retirement he joined Ventura Manufacturing, a Lockheed Aerospace company. After 11 successful years with Ventura, with an entrepreneurial spirit, he formed in partnership KWD Manufacturing and subsequently Knight Aerospace Products, Inc. His company specializes in quick change custom aircraft interiors and ground support equipment for military transport aircraft, including the C130 and C17 aircrafts. His clients included Heads of State, Presidents, Emirs, Sultans, Sheiks, and government officials. His products were delivered and utilized on every continent of the world. Knight Aerospace will celebrate its 30th Anniversary in January 2022 with his son Rick and grandson Michael carrying on his aerospace legacy.

Alfred was an avid sports fan, following the Spurs, Cowboys and his beloved

Georgia Bulldog football team. He truly bled Georgia red and black. Hearing his familiar battle cry, “Go Dawgs” will be so missed across his family, relatives and friends in the fall.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 6pm at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 5pm. A committal service will be held the next day at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 11:15am at Shelter #2.