Gaston Ray Knight

Gaston will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his wife Angeles, and two daughters Bianca (33) and Talia (27). Predeceased by his loving mother Jessica, father Raymond, stepfather Willie Sr, and brother Willie Jr. Survived by his siblings, Leonold Sr., Daphne, and Gregory Evans, and his loving Aunt Pearl. Gaston was born in Pittsview, Alabama where he was actively involved in his Cool Springs Baptist Church community, thanks to the influence of his grandparents Minister Elijah Johnson and Leola Johnson.

Focusing deeply on his studies, Gaston attended the University of Alabama where he became the first African American man to complete the university’s Pilot Training Program. He then went on to achieve great success in the United States Air Force. Here he oversaw and directed a variety of base operations as a civil engineer, and won numerous awards including “Outstanding Company Grade Officer of the Year.” After serving in the Persian Gulf War and traveling to over 20 countries throughout his 21 years of service, Gaston retired honorably from the USAF in 2002 as an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel with numerous meritorious awards under his belt. He then continued work excelling in the private engineering sector.

Aside from his professional accomplishments, Gaston’s personal passions included racquetball, games of wit, making others laugh, and above all, being a fiercely devoted husband and father. His legacy of character and faith will be passed on to his loving children and grandchildren. Those who knew him well would describe him as generous, intelligent, and effortlessly humorous. Above all, he was exceptionally memorable to all he met in his path, and for those who knew him well, he will be truly missed and reminisced on everyday.

His funeral service will be held at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery at 2:30 pm, October 11, 2022.