James Edward Mcknight

James Edward McKnight, 85, a resident of Dothan passed away Monday, December 22, 2014 at his residence following a courageous extended battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 24, 2014 at Sunset Funeral home with Pastor Roy Rogers officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park with Robert Byrd directing. The family will receive friends from 1-2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Mr. McKnight was born April 2, 1929 in Dale County, Alabama where he was raised. He attended Newton High School where he played baseball and cheered. He was employed with Hedstrom Union where he also played softball, Bud Cigar, Ft. Rucker as a helicopter mechanic, owned a car lot, and a service station where he loved to pump gas for the ladies. Mr. McKnight was an avid Alabama Football Fan and adored Bear Bryant and Nick Saban. He even named his dog "Nick." He played semi-pro baseball with the Dothan Browns and the Headland Dixie Runners. He coached Southern League, Dixie Youth and Women's Softball. He loved Jesus and his Harvest Church family, he loved music, singing, and playing the harmonica. Mr. McKnight was preceded in death by his son James E. McKnight, Jr.; his parents J.C. and Thelma S.T. McKnight; brothers and sisters-in-law, John "Doc" and Janice McKnight, Gerald McKnight; a brother-in-law Carl Peugh.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years Margaret McKnight; sons, Danny McKnight, Rodger McKnight, and Steve Norma McKnight; grandchildren, Dan Kristine McKnight, Ashley Susie McKnight, Emrist Garrett Mustin, and Tiffany McKnight; great-grandchildren, Madison, Maggie and Everly; a sister Martha Peugh; sister-in-law Nell McKnight; several nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers will be John Bowen, Eddie Arnold, Ashley McKnight, Dan McKnight, Garrett Mustin, Craig Patterson and Eugene Holmes.