Gerald “Jerry” Leslie Knight, of Conover, North Carolina, passed away on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the age of 76. Jerry was born in Detroit, MI on Thursday, January 19, 1950 to the late Harvey Knight and Wilma M. Knight.
In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his brother, Norman Knight; sister, Sharon Knight; sister-in-law, Nancy Knight; and in-laws, Charles and Evelyn Major.
Jerry was a loving and devoted husband of almost 44 years. He built a large loving extended family by opening his heart to both biological children, grandchildren and all he treated as family. He created a powerful legacy of inclusion and love. Jerry worked as a long-haul commercial truck driver, and he was a US Army veteran. Jerry was an avid sports fan and lifelong Yankees fanatic. He had a great sense of humor and could charm anyone with his wit. Jerry was a loving dog dad and loved to spoil his pets by sharing treats.
Those left to cherish Jerry’s memory are his wife, Darlene Major Knight; sons, Jerry Knight Jr., Tim Knight, James Marshall; brother Harvey “Skip” Knight Jr.; grandchildren, James Winstead, Jalen Knight, Derek Knight, Joscelyn Knight, Sean Knight, Lilyana Marshall; and great granddaughter, Presley Winstead.
A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held at 2pm on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at Drum Funeral Home, 509 1st Ave South, Conover, NC 28613. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 1pm to 1:45pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Carolina Caring at 3975 Robinson Rd, Newton, NC 28658 or at carolinacaring.org/give/.
Condolences may be sent to the Knight family at www.drumfh-conover.com
The Knight family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Conover, NC.
