Gary Allen Knight, 64, of Bostwick, entered the sunset of life on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at the Malcolm Randall V.A. Medical Center, Gainesville, following an extended illness. The son of David Sherwood and Evelyn (Guthrie) Knight, Gary was born on Thursday, October 3, 1946 in Palatka, raised in Green Cove Springs and educated in the Clay County School District. On his 18th birthday, he enlisted in the U. S. Army and served in the Army Reserve for a year prior to receiving deployment orders to Vietnam. He honorably served three tours (14 active years) of duty in the U.S. Army earning numerous medals and decorations. From the Republic of Vietnam to Fort Sill, OK; to Redstone Arsenal, AL; to Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii; and to at Ft. Carson, CO., where SSG (E6) Gary A. Knight was honorably discharged on December 28, 1979. While in Hawaii, Gary continued his education at Maui Community College and the University of Hawaii. On August 21, 1976, he was united in holy matrimony to the former Mildred Millie Leialoha Poepoe at Ft. Shafter, Hawaii. Gary was a landscape inspector and was of the Baptist faith. In 1984 they moved to Bostwick from Hawaii and have resided in Putnam County for the past 27 years. He was also a member of the Palatka Moose Lodge #184.

Gary is preceded in eternal rest by his parents.

To cherish his memories: wife of virtually 35 years: Mildred Millie Knight; son: Curtis Anthony Kahiki Miller; daughter: Lia Nakiowailehuainuakamanu (Devin) Wahl; 2 grandsons: Akahi Devin Kahiki Wahl and Elijah Raleigh Ikaika Miller, all of Bostwick; brothers and sister: Glenda (Marion) Williams, James Knight, Terry (Karla) Knight, and Tony (Karen) Knight, all of Green Cove Springs; Donald (Coni) Knight, Palm Valley; Michael (Lynda) Knight, Keystone Heights; Timothy (Loretta) Knight, SC., beloved aunts: Doris Eschurck and Ionia Moody, both of Green Cove Springs; special cousins: Martha (Kensel) Harris, Green Cove Springs, Rodger (Helen) Bush, Bardin; Cherry Bush-Brewer, Palatka; special friends: Dennis Ball, Keen Mountain, VA and Roy Cross, Bostwick; and host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other caring relatives & friends.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 27 at the Chapel of Serenity. A Celebration of Life Service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, May 28 at the Chapel of Serenity, 2400 Madison Street, Palatka. Reverend Charlie Hunt, pastor of Black Pond Baptist Church, Middleburg, FL., will be officiating.

Interment with military honors will be in Oak Hill West Cemetery. Immediately following the interment, a repast for family and friends will be at Moose Lodge #184, 3875 Reid Street, Palatka.

Memorial contributions may be made in loving memory of Gary A. Knight, c/o Hospice of the Nature Coast, 6721 Crill Avenue, Palatka, FL 32177.