Gary Gordon Knnigighhtt

March 8, 1947 - April 14, 2024

Gary Gordon Knight passed away on April 14, 2024 at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, at the young age of 77. He passed peacefully with his beloved family by his side.

A Yuma native, Gary was born on March 8, 1947 to Eldon Gordon and Eleanor Louise (Gray) Knight, the eldest of two sons.

Gary graduated Kofa High School in 1965, received his AA Business degree from Arizona Western College and served six years in the US Navy (with an honorable discharge in 1974). Upon his return to Yuma, he worked at a local boat dealership, Davidson Marine Supply, where he was well known for being “Yuma's Boat Dealer”. He worked his way up to manager and then became the proud owner of Davidson Marine for over 30 years. He sold the business in 2006, continuing to work as a consultant until 2009, when he retired.

Gary was extremely passionate about his community and decided to come out of retirement to run for the position of City Councilman in 2013. Upon being elected, he took office in 2014. As a 2nd generation business owner in Yuma, Gary was also a big advocate for local business owners. This was evidenced by his accomplishments as a City Councilman. In addition to his role as City Councilman, he served as Deputy Mayor for 3 years, he was on the Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Board, Greater Yuma Port Authority Executive Board, represented the City on both the Chamber Transportation and Chamber Legislative Affairs Committees and was appointed by Governor Ducey to the State Transportation Board. He was on his third term as a full-time council member who was devoted to making Yuma the best it could possibly be.

Gary loved the outdoors, and no matter how hot it was, you could find him bass fishing for fun or in a tournament, trap shooting or golfing. He enjoyed taking his kids to the river every weekend where he taught them how to water ski and fish at a very young age. Gary loved bragging about his kids and grandkids, who he adored.

In later life, he and his wife Bonnie enjoyed running up and down the river in his bass boat. They would stop for a picnic and of course, Gary would fish while she read a good book.

Gary was preceded in death by his father, Gordon; mother, Eleanor and brother, Larry.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his children: Kevin (Cana), Melissa (Gerry); four grandchildren that he adored: Joshua, Connor, Ethan, and Elizabeth; niece, Tamara, and nephew Bryan.

The community is invited to a Celebration of Life held on Friday, May 3rd 2024 at 11:00 am at the Historic Downtown Theater, 254 S. Main Street, Yuma, followed by a luncheon at the Yuma Civic Center, 1440 W. Desert Hills Dr., Yuma.

We love you and are incredibly proud of you, Dad. Please sign the guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/yumasun