Ray Earl Knight, 102, died peacefully on Saturday, May 4, 2024. He was born November 22, 1921 in Wiggins, MS and was the only child of Tom and Ada Knight. Because Ray was a Christian, he has assurance of his salvation and a place in heaven.
HIs family moved to Columbia, MS when he was 11 years old. He has resided in Brandon for the last two years with his family.
At Columbia High School Ray 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. Ray 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.
Ray 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 employees replaced hundreds of tv antennas. He knew every road in 2-3 counties, and everyone knew him as some called him the tv man.
A faithful member of Rotary, Ray 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. He is survived by 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 step-daughters, Karen Johnson, and Cathy Fortenberry; grandchildren, Terri Johnson Miciello, Chris Johnson, Rachel Patterson Stringer, Ashley Hatton Shepard, and Alex Fortenberry; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at First Baptist Church, Columbia where family will receive friends from 10:30 AM until service time. Reverend Thomas Thurman and Reverend Brett Frazier will officiate and burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery assisted by Eddie Ray Breakfield, Paul Pounds, Bruce Ratcliff, Jack Shepard, Mike Smith, and Gary Smyly as pallbearers, and honorary pallbearers, Dr. Tom Whitehead, and members of the Columbia Rotary Club.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, Columbia, MS or Columbia Rotary Club.
