James Neil McKnight

James Neil McKnight (Jim) a resident of Vicars Landing Retirement Community in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL and formerly of Cocoa Beach, FL died February 5, 2025, after a brief illness.

Jim was born March 24, 1939, in Dyersburg, TN. His parents Neil Allison and Maude Musgrave McKnight raised Jim in Macon, GA. Jim attended Sidney Lanier High School in Macon, GA and Auburn University earning a degree in Industrial Engineering.

Jim served honorably in the United States Air Force and was tasked with monitoring Russian communication from the border of Germany. Jim then went on to work for NASA as a test director and payload specialist during the height of space exploration. During Jim's 30-year career he played in integral role in the Apollo 11 moon landing, engineering how the lunar landing module was attached to the spaceship and deployed on the moon.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Edith (Edie) Hansen McKnight. He is survived by his children, Dana Hansen of Ponte Vedra Beach, Chris Hansen (Linda) of Tallahassee, FL, sister, Barbara McKnight Hund; niece, Elaine Roberts (Allison Bailes); nephew, Stewart Roberts all of Atlanta, GA, 2 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren.

Jim loved playing golf, sailing and scuba diving. Jim and Edie spent their summers at Linville Land Harbor in Newland, NC. Jim, with the encouragement from his daughter, moved into Vicar’s Landing in 2021 and thrived in this wonderful community. In his later years Jim was a huge fan of watching football, both college and NFL and golf on television. Jim was a kind and thoughtful man and a true southern gentleman. He will be missed greatly.

A Memorial Service will be held at Vicars Landing in The Parlor on Friday February 21, 2025. Food and beverages will be available from noon to 5 pm along with memorial tribute to Jim.