Charles R. McKnight – age 75 passed away unexpectedly in his home in Blaine, TN on Thursday, April 28, 2022. “Charlie” was born in Oak Ridge, Tennessee’s “Secret City.” He lived his first few years in TN with his beloved Granddaddy Ralph, Grandmother Inez, and aunts Caroylea, Ella Mae, and Ruth McKnight. Later he moved to Florida with his father, Joseph McKnight, and stepmother, Colleen, where he attended Titusville HS. After graduation, Charlie enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam War where he was sent to a Germany Communication Unit. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Florida to get his BS from FTU, and MS from Rollins College. Charlie, then, as a Deputy of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Department, initiated its First SWAT Team. He earned Detective grade while serving 12 years with the Sheriff’s Dept. In 1980, Charlie married Lolani (Lani) Smith, his wife of 42 years, and transferred to the Kentucky Space Center. As a member of their Security Unit, he initiated another First SWAT Team and was awarded the coveted Silver Snoopy Award. At his retirement, after 30+ years with KSC, Charlie was Senior Administrator for KSC Space Program’s Security. Both he and Lani were fortunate to have as friends, several different shuttle astronauts. After they retired, Charlie and Lani relocated to Blaine, TN, to be near Charlie’s 40+ family members, who they regularly hosted for “Family Dinners.” Next to God, family was the most important thing to him. In Blaine, Charlie was a member of the Planning & Zoning Board and was elected to the Mayor & Alderman Board. Charlie loved time with family, his close Titusville GROUP of 30 years, his yellow Corvette and Vette best buddy Larry Gilreath, his rotties Harley & Titus, pontoon boating, and successfully pulling off practical jokes! Charlie was one of those people who all of us would be proud and grateful to have known in life. He made everyone else’s lives better by just being himself and sharing his positive attitude, humor, and truly caring about you. He will be greatly missed.
Preceding him in death were their son, Adam Charles McKnight; grandparents; father; stepmother, Judy McKnight; stepsister, Inez McKnight; aunts; uncles; and his beloved dogs, Gator, Bear, and Harley. Charlie was an active member of Sand Branch Methodist Church where he felt the Presence and Love of the Lord and where Pastor Denny and fellow members made Lani and him feel so welcome and “at home.”
He is survived by his wife, Lani McKnight; aunt, Caroylea Bowers; brother, Dennis Jennings; stepbrother, David McKnight; stepmother, Colleen McKnight; many cousins, especially Jimmy Bowers; in-laws, Sherry and Tom Gaulke; nephew, Brent Gaulke; niece, Kelly Goman; and their families; second son, Jason Lengefeld and family; and Titus.
A Memorial Service will be held 11:00 AM on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at the Sand Branch United Methodist Church, 2301 Thorngrove Pike, Knoxville. Interment will follow at the East TN Veterans Cemetery-John Sevier. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tunnel to Towers or Wounded Warriors. Arrangements by Bridges Funeral Home, 5430 Rutledge Pike, 865-523-4999. www.bridgesfuneralhome.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Charles R McKnight September 23 1946 April 28 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Knoxville, Province: T-N