Johnny Frank McKnight

Johnny Frank McKnight, 77, of Arlington, Texas, passed away June 23, 2023. He was born in Fort Worth, Texas, September 3, 1945 on the North Main Viaduct which he always referred to as the Johnny McKnight Memorial Bridge. The ambulance in which his mother was riding didn’t make it to Harris Hospital in time!

Johnny graduated from Green B. Trimble Technical High School in Fort Worth in 1963. Johnny married Kay Thomas on June 6, 1969.

He served as a Hospital Corpsman at Glenview Naval Air Station in Chicago, Illinois for 2 years, 8 months, 13 days, 2 hours, and 5 minutes, as he was fond of saying.

Johnny received a degree in architecture from University of Texas at Arlington. Johnny worked most of his career in the airline industry as a project manager, designing and building facilities all over the world. He was especially proud of working in the ancient cities of Larnaca and Pafos on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus.

He was a true adventurer. He loved to travel and visited all 50 states and 34 foreign countries. Kay and Holly joined him on many of his trips. He was a lifelong Baptist. He reached the level of Life Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. He was a proud supporter of Guide Dogs for the Blind for 30 years.

Johnny and Kay recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary. During their marriage, they lived briefly in places that began with a “C,” including Chicago, Colorado, Crow Canyon Country Club in Contra Costa County, California, and Cyprus, but Arlington was always home along with their daughter Holly and her active and retired guide dogs Brita and Tyra.

Johnny is survived by his sister Dot Means and his brother Warren McKnight, his wife Cheryl, their children and grandchildren: Jordan, his son Rowan; Travis; Josalyn McKnight, her husband Zak, and their sons Dax, Thomas, and Milo. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Ann Whitley, niece Kathy Bonds, husband Philip, son David, wife Rachel, daughter Maddy Joseph, husband Patrick, and their precious toddler Luke; niece Wendy Moore, husband Craig, sons Jack and Spencer, daughter Mackenzie Skipper, husband Dan, and their cute 22 month old twins Sam and Jones. He is also survived by numerous long-time friends, neighbors, and relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Billie McKnight, sister Janie Oliver, and nephew Clay Means.

A memorial service will be planned in September at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.