Montgomery Business Leader John F. Knight, Sr. Dies at 98

John Knight, Sr. (center) receiving award in Montgomery in 2013. (Photo courtesy: ASU)

Well-known Montgomery businessman John F. Knight, Sr. has died at the age of 98. According to information from Alabama State University, Knight died Sunday surrounded by his family.

Knight, known as “Johnnie”, owned Knight’s Barbershop and Knight’s Plaza in Montgomery’s Centennial Hill neighborhood. He was the recipient of the 2013 Small Business Development Center’s “Vaughn Entrepreneur Legend Award”.

Knight was a World War II veteran who remained in Montgomery after being stationed at Gunter Air Force Base. He was well-known for the work that he did inspiring young men and women in the Victor Tulane Court neighborhood and beyond.

Knight was honored to receive many awards during his lifetime, which included St. John AME Church’s “Man of the Year Award,” the “Montgomery Family of the Year Award,” and on his 90th birthday, he received honors from the Montgomery City Council, The Alabama House of Representatives and special recognition from President Obama.

His son, longtime former State Representative and Montgomery County Commissioner Dr. John. F. Knight, Jr. said that his father was a civic leader who took great pride in voting in every election and working diligently to encourage others to vote.

“My father was born during the time when African-Americans did not have the right to vote because of Jim Crow segregation laws, and because of that, he actively encouraged both voter registration at the age of 18, and active and full participation in voting for everyone throughout their lifetime in every election,” Knight said in a statement.

“My father’s barber shop was his community’s ‘pulpit’ where he was not shy about engaging in great political and social debate, as he encouraged his patrons to get out and make a difference in Montgomery,” Knight said.

Knight’s funeral arrangements are being handled by Ross-Clayton Funeral Home, 1412 Adams Avenue in Montgomery.  On Friday, a Family Hour will take place there from 6-7 p.m. The funeral will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the St. John AME Church on Madison Avenue in Montgomery with the graveside service taking place immediately afterward at Greenwood Cemetery.