Joseph Patrick McKnight

Joe was born on April 14, 1956, in Wichita, Kansas to Joseph Franklin McKnight and Bettye Ruth Thompson Mcknight. After moving to Arkansas, he spent many summers working in the rice fields and on catfish farms, holding dreams of becoming a mechanic for large tractors and farming equipment. After graduating from North Little Rock High School he attended Foothills Vocational School in Searcy, AR.

He went on to spend his life working with his hands and sharing his knowledge with others, retiring from Arkansas Best Freight after 25 years of dedicated service. Over a long and respected career, he worked as a welder, mechanic, welding inspector, and welding instructor, bringing precision to everything he built and patience to every student he taught.

A man of deep faith, Joe was a long-time member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Little Rock. For many years, he anchored the church's annual Easter pageant, humbly portraying Jesus and bringing the story of his faith to life for the entire community.

An outdoorsman at heart, Joe cherished the peacefulness of early mornings spent duck hunting. Later in life, he was a dedicated coin collector who found great joy in discovering the unique history behind each piece in his collection.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph F. McKnight; his mother, Bettye R. Thompson McKnight; his sister, Pamela J. Smith; and his grandparents, H.T. Kenny and Pauline McKnight Kenny, and Sam and Essie Thompson.

He is survived by his loving wife of forty four and a half years, Donna McKnight; his children, Lisa (Gary) Seibel of Sherwood and David (Jenni) Brown of North Little Rock; his grandchildren, Isabella Seibel, Jordan Brown, Jalynn Brown, and Olivia Seibel; his sister, Paula (Tommy) Watkins of Little Rock; his brother, Phillip (Meg) McKnight of Wisconsin; and many nieces and nephews. He will also be greatly missed by his beloved dachshunds Rosie Belle, Molly Belle, Lucy Lou, and Angel Gail.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Hospice Home Care of Little Rock for their compassionate care and support during Joe's fi nal days.

Services will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at Griffi n Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home, located at 7724 Landers Road, North Little Rock, AR 72117. A visitation will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM with Bro.Rodney Shanner offi ciating. Burial will follow at Arkansas Memorial Gardens, 8507 AR-161, North Little Rock, AR 72117.

For those who wish to honor Joe's memory through a memorial, they can be made to Beyond The Burn Foundation https://beyondtheburnfoundation.org or Trinity Life Church 6 Collins Industrial Pl, North Little Rock, AR 72113, (501)850-6328.

A Funeral Service will be held at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home, 7724 Landers Road, North Little Rock, AR 72117, US, on October 29, 2026, at 11:00 AM 

A Graveside Service will be held at Arkansas Memorial Gardens, 8507 AR-161, North Little Rock, AR 72117, US, on October 29, 2026,at 12:00 PM.