Jackie McKnight

Jackie (Jack) Lee McKnight, 85, passed away at his home in Albuquerque, NM, on February 16th, 2025. Jackie was born in Elsey, MO to Fred and Helen McKnight on March 6th, 1939. Jack met the love of his life, Dianne, in Wausau, WI in 1967, and married in Kansas City, MO January 22nd, 1968. Jack was a highly respected and admired employee at Masthead International for over 30 years. He traveled the USA installing newspaper printing presses and retired in Albuquerque at age 67.

Jack loved watching old westerns, NASCAR, the Pittsburgh Steelers (followed by the KC Chiefs.) Jack was funny, mischievous, playful, spirited, and endearing, making a lasting impression on everyone he met, even including strangers at times (such as waitresses, healthcare workers, or someone he was waiting next to in the grocery store) and he is loved by so many all throughout the country.

Jack was a tenderhearted man, never shying away from emotion. He was unequivocally dedicated to Dianne, and he led and loved his family so well, setting an example of selflessness, hard work ethic, and remarkable patience. He did a great job teaching his sons or grandchildren to ride a bike or drive, and he made thousands of trips back and forth to the truck to carry suitcases for Dianne and other loved ones over the years.

Jack was very close to all his sibling-in-laws, Kenny Dodson, Kenny Russell, Ray & Johnavieve Trickey, and Sanford Walker, always treating them not only as his own family, but also as his friends. Jack was incredibly proud of his sons, Jason and Eric. The family takes comfort in the fact that in his final hours, he was fervently loved and prayed over by Eric before he was greeted with a "Jason hug" in heaven.

Jackie was preceded in death by his parents Fred & Helen McKnight, siblings Lavenia Dodson and Freddie Rae Walker, and his son Jason McKnight. Jackie is survived by sister Barbara Russell, his wife of 57 years, Dianne McKnight, son and daughter-in-law, Eric & Shirley McKnight, and daughter-in-law Karen McKnight. He is also survived by the following grandchildren: Ryan & Charlotte McKnight (Children Leonardo, Julius, and Angelina); Joshua Wilson; Sarah & Kale Fuller (Children Jackson and Wilson); Brittany & Jake Ott; Jacob & Samantha McKnight (Children Rylynn and Jaylee); Rebecca & Jordan Sterling (Children Kinsley and Cody); Jonah & Arantxa McKnight (Child Adrianna); Tommierae McKnight; Adan Lee McKnight; Lauren & Justin Page. Jack is also survived by others who remained close to his heart: Karen Wichmann, Timothy Ryan, Ethan Terry, and all of his very special friends and coworkers at Masthead.