Charles Kendrick McKnight Sr., of Atlanta, Georgia, (formerly St. Simons Island, GA) passed away on February 10, 2025, in Atlanta, GA.
Charles was born January 17, 1936, in Daytona Beach, Florida, to Judge T.K. (Buddy) McKnight and Camilla Grimes McKnight, of Bunnell, FL. Charles married Jean Kay Baldwin on August 8, 1958, in Charleston, South Carolina. He graduated from the Military College of South Carolina (The Citadel) in 1958, with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. While at the Citadel, Charles was a member of the Color Guard, the Rifle Team, the Yacht Club and the Flying Club. He was a lifelong active member of the Citadel Alumni Association.
Charles began a lifetime of flying with his first solo airplane flight in 1958. He served in the United States Air Force from 1958 to 1966, attaining the rank of Captain. While in the Air Force, Charles served two tours in Southeast Asia in 1965. He also flew coastal air patrols during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Air Force awarded Charles the Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters and the Southeast Asia Expeditionary Medal. After his military service, Charles flew for United Airlines from 1966 until his retirement in 1996. Charles was a domestic and international pilot (Captain), Flight Instructor and Flight Examiner over the course of his United career. He was also awarded the United Award of Merit for bravery. Charles continued as a practicing engineer and was licensed in Miami, FL, as a Professional Structural Engineer in 1973. While with United, he founded Sentry Engineering Corp. Charles continued his love of flying after his formal retirement, flying a variety of light aircraft for another 14 years.
Charles was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great- grandfather, who devoted his time and attention generously to his family. He also had a love of adventure and was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman. While in the Air Force, Charles won numerous honors in skeet shooting competitions around the world. He was an avid boater, fisherman and diver, as well as an accomplished water and snow skier, all passions he shared with his family. He and Jean were also avid tennis players and active in their racquet club. Charles especially relished a hunting trip to Africa with his sons in 2006. Charles was also active in a variety of roles, including serving as an Elder, in Old Cutler Presbyterian Church of Miami, FL.
Charles is survived by his loving wife, Jean Kay McKnight; sons: Charles Kendrick McKnight Jr. (Becky), and Kerry Baldwin McKnight (Susie); grandchildren: Cameron McKnight Dobbs (Gabriel), Ellen McKnight Wright, (A.J.), Charles Kendrick McKnight III (Lucienne), Kerry Patrick McKnight, and Kevin Moody McKnight; and great-grandchildren: Nolan Grant Wright and Laurence Louise McKnight.
A visitation will be held from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM, on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at H.M. Patterson & Son-Oglethorpe Hill, 4550 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30319.