James W. (Jim) Knight passed away, peacefully, Feb. 22, 2025 after a long battle with cancer. He was a resident of Gainesville, FL since 1973 and the retired Dean of the Division of Continuing Education at the University of Florida. Born in Macon, GA on May 20, 1941, he was a graduate of Moultrie (GA) High School and earned bachelor, master and doctoral degrees from the University of Georgia.

As a young journalist, Jim worked for newspapers in Georgia and as a news reporter for the Associated Press in Montgomery, AL, in 1964-65. In addition to covering the Alabama legislature, he was heavily involved in covering the civil rights movement throughout Alabama, including the Selma-to-Montgomery civil rights march held by Dr. Martin Luther King, JR.

After earning a doctorate in adult and continuing education at the University of Georgia, Jim came to the University of Florida in 1973 as the associate director of the correspondence study program. In 1976, he was named Dean of Continuing Education, a position he held until his retirement in 2008. Throughout this time, Jim was active and held leadership positions in numerous state, national and international professional organizations.

Jim was an active volunteer in several local and civic organizations, filling positions on various board of directors and was a member of the Leadership Gainesville IX class. He was particularly active in the March of Dimes, serving in leadership roles at the local, state and national levels.

A dedicated member of the First United Methodist Church of Gainesville, Jim held leadership positions in the local church, the North Central Florida District and the Florida Conference. Jim was among the first small group of Methodist laypersons to be granted full voting privilege on the Board of Ordained Ministry for the entire conference. He was most recently the leader of the adult Faith Forum Sunday School Class, where he shared his deep faith, his passion for life-long learning, his constant desire to live a Christlike life and where openness to different perspectives was encouraged and respected.

Jim is survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, Lynda Rogers Knight, two daughters Susanna (Keith) Roberts of Atlanta and Meredith (Adam) Beaupre of Gainesville, and five grandchildren, Laura Kinley, Blakely Banks, and Millie Byrd Roberts and Brody James William and Hallie Elizabeth Lynn Beaupre. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Laura Hazel Knight and his parents, Jewel Edward Knight and Viola Striplin Knight.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, March 8, 10:30 AM at First United Methodist Church, 419 NE First St, Gainesville, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions be made to First United Methodist Church of Gainesville. Please visit his memorial page at www.williamsthomasfuneralhome.com.

— Williams-Thomas Downtown, (352) 376-7556