Gene Thomas "Fuzzy" McKnight age 93 of Roaring Gap, North Carolina passed away Wednesday September 29, 2021  in the Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital in Elkin, North Carolina surrounded by his loving family..

Fuzzy was born in Grayson County, Virginia on November 7, 1927 to Thomas Hale and Mae Hampton McKnight.

He is survived by his wife Martha of 36 years, daughter and son-in-law Regina Johnson and Chuck of Woodstock, Georgia; son and daughter-in-law Tom McKnight, Jr. and Vita  of Crozet, Virginia; stepdaughters and husbands Frances Olsen and Mike  of Lexington, Kentucky; Ashley May and Albert  of Raleigh, North Carolina; Catherine Tyson and Chris of Zebulon, North Carolina; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; six step-grandchildren.

Fuzzy was a member of the 1945 graduating class of Galax High School. He attended King Business College and served in the US Navy aboard U.S.S. Fargo (CL106) during the last stages of World War II with his home port being Naples, Italy. He loved to fly airplanes, play golf and work on his antique cars. He served his Lord, Country, County and anyone in need of help. He was a devoted and caring husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Fuzzy's loving personality will be sorely missed by all who were lucky enough to spend times with him. He never saw a stranger, loved visiting with all ages and backgrounds. His work ethic and business pursuits gave him much satisfaction, from his sawmill days, growing McKnight Oil Company to developing real estate projects, being Mayor of Galax, and being a Board member of the Southern Seniors Golf Association.

The family would like to thank Fuzzy's devoted friends and caretakers at Chatham Nursing and Rehab in Elkin and the wonderful staff at Hugh Chatham Nursing Home in Elkin for caring for him in such a loving way.

Because Fuzzy spent much of his life in Virginia and North Carolina the family will be receiving friends Friday, November 5, 2021, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church in Galax, Virginia. On Saturday, November 6, at 2:00 PM there will be a service to celebrate the life of Fuzzy at the Sparta United Methodist Church in Sparta, North Carolina.

Should friends desire to honor Fuzzy's memory, donations may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

A guestbook is available at www.vaughanguynn.com