Luther D. "Luke" McKnight

Luther D. “Luke” McKnight, 82, of Valdosta, passed away on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at South Georgia Medical Center. He was born on January 10, 1943, in Poplar Springs, FL, to the late William Daniel McKnight and Addie Leanor Register McKnight. Luke grew up in Graceville, FL and attended Poplar Springs High School. Soon after high school he joined the U.S. Air Force and served as a crew chief. He was able to see both the U-2 and Sr-71 airplanes operate during his career. He was stationed in Libya, Thailand, England, Germany, Spain, Turkey, and Italy before retiring in Valdosta in 1982 at Moody Air Force Base. Luke then started his own business in Professional Maintenance Services, which he operated for several years. He and his wife Inez enjoyed traveling in their RV and volunteering at state and national parks. He also enjoyed working with his hands and building things in various mediums. Luke and Inez were members of Greenwood Baptist Church.

Luke is survived by his daughter Tammy Lynn Raemmler of Williston, FL; son Marcus (& Lana L. Lane) McKnight, of Lake Park, GA; his grandchildren Patrick (& Julisa) Raemmler, of Atlanta, and Jennifer (& Carmelo) Burgos, of Newport News, VA; his sisters Nell (& Joe) Sedanko, and Frances (& Robert) Williams, of Oldtown, FL; his brothers, James McKnight, of Virginia, and Manuel McKnight, of Sebring, FL; and a brother-in-law, Thomas Morris, of Oldtown, FL. He was preceded in death by his wife Inez McKnight, sister Annette White, and brother Wayne Harrison.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at McLane Riverview Mausoleum. The family will visit prior to the service from 1-2pm. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to the National Arbor Day Foundation. Online condolences to the family may be shared on the obituary page at www.mclanefuneralservices.com.

Carson McLane Funeral Home