Staff Reports
Marion County laid to rest retired sheriff Morgan “David” McKnight on Wednesday.
Sheriff McKnight passed away February 19 following a brief illness.
Services were at 10 a.m. at the Captain Wm Perry Chapel of Haggard Funeral Home. Burial was in Savannah Cemetery in Smithland.
“Sheriff McKnight was a friend and mentor to many of the Marion County Sheriff Office staff before, during, and after his career at the Sheriff’s Office,” said Marion County Sheriff David Capps.
“He was always there to help and give advice when ever needed!!,” said Franklin County Sheriff Ricky Jones.
Marion County Judge Leward LaFleur said Mcknight “and his family have been servants to the people of this county, not just in the last fw years, but for the last few generations. He was the cornerstone of service to others. We had a special bond because both of us served in the Navy. I can think of no other person in this county who cared more than he did about the people who live here.”
David was born May 7, 1954, in Wynnewood, Okla., to J.C. “Sonny” McKnight and Lawana Gayle Russell McKnight. After graduating from McLeod High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he honorably served for 4 years.
After his discharge from the Navy, he went to work for Lodi Drilling, which is a company that he and his family owned and operated for many years.
When Lodi Drilling was sold, David attended the East Texas Policy Academy where he became a commissioned Texas Peace Officer.
From the time he graduated from the Police Academy, David worked in this field and finished out his career at the Marion County Sheriff’s office which included being elected as Sherriff in 2012 and serving in that capacity until his retirement in 2020.
He was a member of the Texas Master Peace Officer’s, Jim’s Bayou Masonic Lodge, life member of Jefferson Masonic Lodge as a 32°Scottish Rite Shriner, Good Exchange Baptist Church, and a longtime member of the Smithland Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, raising cattle, and spending time with family and friends.
Preceding Mr. McKnight in death were his parents and brothers, Charles McKnight, and Joe McKnight.
He is survived by his wife Betty Tefteller McKnight; son, Harris McKnight; Grandson, Sawyer McKnight; Sisters-In-Law, Kim McKnight, and Carol Walker; Aunts, Francis Russell of Queen City, Texas, Ladelle Kay of Longview, Texas; Uncle, Dale Tefteller of Simms, Texas, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, and other family and friends.