Ray Earl Knight
102, Brandon
Funeral services were held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at First Baptist Church for Ray Earl Knight, 102, of Brandon, who died peacefully on Saturday, May 4, 2024. Burial followed in Woodlawn Cemetery. Rev. Thomas Thurman and Rev. Brett Frazier officiated at the services. Visitation was held from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services on Wednesday, May 8, at First Baptist Church.
He was born on Nov. 22, 1921, in Wiggins and was the only child of Tom and Ada Knight. Because he was a Christian, he has assurance of his salvation and a place in heaven.
His family moved to Columbia when he was 11 years old. He has resided in Brandon for the last two years with his family.
At Columbia High School, he was an excellent student in math and chemistry. He became interested in electronics, the radio and a new invention called television.
In 1941, he studied television in Chicago. Afterwards, he worked on radar for the Army Signal Corps. He was drafted into the Army Air Force serving with the 8th Air Force during World War II. He served in England participating in the Air Offensive in Europe. He was a radar specialist for airplane navigation, working on B-17 heavy bombers. The 95th Bomb Group bombed German operations in France, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Holland and North Africa. He earned the Bronze Star as well as other citations. After Germany’s defeat, he had orders to join a new Air Force in the Pacific. The atomic bomb ended World War II before his unit was deployed. He returned to Columbia in 1945, where he opened Knight Radio.
He met Sue Campbell at church in high school and they were married for 58 years until her death in 2000. He later married Jensie Mullins and she died in 2015.
For over 40 years, Ray and Sue operated their business, selling and repairing Zenith televisions, putting up antennas and taking care of people’s electronic needs. After Hurricane Camille and Katrina, Ray and his employees replaced hundreds of antennas. He knew every road in two to three counties, and everyone knew him, as some called him the “TV man.”
A faithful member of Rotary, he was a Paul Harris recipient. He was actively involved in Rotary until after his 100th birthday. He was also a devoted member of First Baptist Church and for many years ran the sound system so services could be broadcast on radio. He was a kind and compassionate man who tried to help others.
A loving father, his legacy includes his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include his daughters, Barbara Wise (Joe) and Marilyn Julian (Charles); grandchildren, Charlie Julian (Stephanie), Tom Julian (Abby) and Jennifer Willis (Tim); and great-grandchildren, Rebecca and Matthew Jenkins, Thomas, Arthur, John Lloyd and Isaac Julian, Cecelia and Knight Julian and Jackson, Annabelle and Thaddeus Willis; survivors from his second marriage are stepdaughters, Karen Johnson and Cathy Fortenberry; grandchildren, Terri Johnson Miciello, Chris Johnson, Rachel Patterson Stringer, Ashley Hatton Shepard and Alex Fortenberry; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Eddie Ray Breakfield, Paul Pounds, Bruce Ratcliff, Jack Shepard, Mike Smith and Gary Smyly. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Tom Whitehead and members of the Columbia Rotary Club.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church in Columbia or Columbia Rotary Club.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.colonialfuneralhomes-ms.com for the Knight family. Arrangements were entrusted to Colonial Funeral Home.
