Reginald Lee Knight

Reginald Lee Knight, a resident of Stonecrest of Summerfield, Florida, passed on August 15, 2026 at the age of 85. He was the loving husband of Ada Knight for over 60 years and proud father to their two sons Brian (Bernadette) Knight of Ocala, FL and Brad (Rosie) Knight of Tavares, FL and four wonderful grandsons Parker, Harrison, Clayton and Brandon. He is survived by his wife Ada Ligia and his brother Dennis (Judy) Knight of Laramie, Wyoming and nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by his sister Nancy (Knight) Heintz and parents Darwin and Edna Knight of Clear Lake, S.D.

Reggie was born in Watertown, S.D. on April 8, 1941 and raised in Clear Lake where he was active in his church, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Exploring. Graduated from Clear Lake High School where he was a star athlete in football, basketball, track and he played American Legion baseball. He graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. in 1963 earning a Bachelor of Science degree. For five summers he guided wilderness canoe trips for older Scouts from the Sommers Wilderness Canoe Base near Ely, MN.

Upon graduating Reggie entered a life-time career with the Boy Scouts of America in Huron, S.D. but six months later was called for military service. He served in the U.S. Army at Fort Sam Houston Army Base, in San Antonio, Texas serving in a special hematology lab at the Brooke General Army Hospital with plans to continue his career with the BSA. Six months before discharge, he was introduced to Ada, and they married on August 28, 1965 and three months before receiving an honorable discharge moved to Huron, SD and resumed his BSA career. He served as a professional Scout Executive for 34 years in BSA councils in South Dakota, lowa, Illowa and two councils in Florida (Gulf Stream Council and Southwest Florida Council). He was dedicated to training youth in citizenship responsibility, character development and personal fitness while at the same time work to get parents, quality volunteers and community organizations involved. After retiring from the BSA he continued to serve his community as vice president of the Lee County Public Schools Foundation and executive director of the Uncommon Friends Foundation in Fort Myers, Florida.

Upon retirement they lived 20 years in Cape Coral, FL where Reggie and Ada became involved in numerous community organizations and were trained ministry leaders and served 12 years at St. Andrew Catholic Church in multiple leadership positions. Reggie was an active member of the Rotary Club for 30 years. Hobbies were going to plays, movies, music concerts, wood work and life-long learning opportunities. They traveled in all 50 U.S states and to numerous sightseeing tours in Europe as well as cruises in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. He liked to do wood projects that would be given to family, friends, and to recognize voluntary involvement especially church lay men and women, and church clergy and staff. He completed over 40 signs for community non-profit organizations/churches in recognition of their accomplishments. In order to be closer to their two sons and families, in 2017 Reggie and Ada relocated to Stonecrest Community in Summerfield, FL and members of St. Mark The Evangelist Catholic Church where Reggie was a member of the Men's Guild.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church (7081 SE Hwy 42, Summerfield, FL 34491) on Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 10AM with a committal service to follow at the Forest Lawn Memory Gardens & Funeral Home, 5740 S. Pine Ave, Ocala, Fl. 34480.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Reginald's name to the Boy Scouts of America.