Dr. John C. Knight

We hear so often that each life is like a book. Every book tells a story and in every story there are good days, not so good days, love, learning and living one's best life possible. If the reader of this tome happened to be a friend or family member of this wonderful soul, we called John C. Knight, we might feel like the library made us return his book of life before we were finished reading the ending; cut short by a debilitating illness. The storied life of this good man began with his birth in LaGrange, Georgia on May 12, 1953. He was one of four children born to the late Carey Donald Knight and Lillian Hill Knight. His brothers Don and David also preceded him in death. The family moved to Newnan as an employment opportunity was offered to Mr. Knight. It was while he attended Newnan High School that he met the young lady with whom he would spend the next 53 years head over heels in love. John and Kaye married on June 28, 1975, at First Baptist Church in Newnan. John and Kaye both attended the University of West Georgia where John would do his preliminary studies before transferring to The Medical College of Georgia and obtained his DMD degree. Having always had an interest in being in the military. With their educations complete, John entered the Air Force and for the next 21 years he and Kaye began this story line in his book of life that would see them moving to a new place of service every five years. They would be based in Las Vegas, Warner Robbins, the Philippines, Sumter South Carolina, and Biloxi. He spent five months in Saudi Arabia in 1997 where he was the only dentist in a camp of five thousand soldiers. Imagine having your teeth fixed in a tent buffeted by desert winds and sand everywhere. John's military career came to an end as he retired in 1999. He considered it an honor to have been in the service of his country. John and Kaye returned to Newnan and John opened his practice in his office on Jefferson Parkway. It should come as no surprise that John was known for his dedication to his patients. He had his regular office hours, for sure, but he was always willing to open the doors anytime an emergency occurred. Consequently, his patients were fiercely loyal to him and respected him for his sincere desire to put their care above all else. If you were to spend any time with John, you would realize that he was a lifelong learner. He was a voracious reader of books covering the whole realm of not only books to keep him up to date with his profession, but also, the latest ideas in technology, self-help and self-improvement in health matters. When it was time to relax, John and Kaye loved to travel. He was fascinated by the beauty of God's great earth. There was no place he would rather be than being mesmerized by the riot of color in the leaves and mountains around Brasstown Valley, the healing and soothing waves of St. Simons, and the historic beauty of Charleston, South Carolina. His appreciation for beauty played out in his great interest in gardening in his yard in his different stations of the Air Force. He found great satisfaction in those tasks. Rather than being a bothersome necessity, he used these opportunities as a creative outlet for his never-ending enthusiasm and love for nature. He loved tromping through the woods, but he also loved to coax plants out of the ground. John approached most of all tasks as an opportunity to find a better outcome rather than an onerous job that had to be done. It was a mindset that gave him a great peace of mind that if a person gives every task their very best, they can come to the end of the day with a blessed peace. John's last few years were difficult as his illness slowly changed every facet of his life. That being said, he was John Cooper Knight until the very end. He and Kaye prayed every night for strength and comfort as they faced these bewildering changes. John faced his final illness with the same determination he showed in every facet of his life. He ultimately believed that the God he served and prayed to every day would give him and Kaye the stamina to face whatever lay ahead. On January 4th in the early morning hours, God reached down and claimed his good and faithful servant. He was in the company of his loving family as he made that transition. John had never wavered in his faith and took his place in his life everlasting. John loved the song "My Way," and he did his best to live life on his terms but based on God's amazing grace. No one could ask for more. John is survived by his devoted wife, life partner and caregiver Kaye Burnham Knight. Also surviving is his sister Karen Knight Poore, his brother-in-law David Burnham III and his wife, Kelly and their children David Burnham IV and his wife Maureen, Alyssa Burnham Bunn and her husband Dalton. His nieces and nephews are Dave Burnham, Henry Burnham, Kinsley Bunn, and Stella Bunn. John's exemplary life will be celebrated in a service held in the chapel of McKoon Funeral Home on Thursday, January 9, 2024, at 11:00 AM. The service will be led by Dr. Jimmy Patterson. Interment with full military honors will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Online condolences may be expressed at www.mckoon.com. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that memorial contributions may be made in John's memory to "Tunnels to Towers" t2t.org or "The Wounded Warrior Project" ...woundedwarriotproject.org. You might say that this is John's life story, but it is only the beginning. John loved the God who created him and led him throughout his life. When He welcomed John home, his life's story only continues and will have no end. To God be the glory for John's wonderful life. Well done. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580

Dr. John C. Knight

May 12, 1953 - January 4, 2025