Archie Alan McKnight

Archie Alan McKnight, 79, of Jasper, passed away on Tuesday morning, March 10, 2026. Born on March 23, 1946, to James Edgar McKnight and Emma Irby McKnight, Archie served his country as a Navy veteran before devoting the majority of his adult life to law enforcement. He worked with the Nacogdoches Police Department, the Rusk Police Department—where he served as Chief of Police—and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. In addition to his police career, he worked as a private investigator and became an expert in fingerprint analysis. While with the Nacogdoches department, he earned his pilot’s license and spent many weekends flying single-engine airplanes between East Texas and Dallas.

Those who knew Archie will remember his quick wit and playful sense of humor. He had a special talent for easing tension with a sly comment or well-timed joke, turning even serious moments into times of laughter. If Archie liked you, he showed it by teasing and joking with you.

Archie is survived by his son Rusty McKnight; his daughter Andrea McKnight Grimes and her husband Phillip; his son-in-law Charles Campbell and wife Laura; and his son Christopher McKnight. He is also survived by his grandsons Matthew Grimes and wife Tabi, Cody Grimes and wife Sydney, granddaughter Lindsey Langham, along with many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He leaves behind his sister Verna McKnight Fruge and brothers Jerry McKnight and wife Albertia, Irby McKnight and wife Vicki, and Earl McKnight.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Debbie McKnight, his brothers Thomas, Manual, Gene, and Hershel McKnight, his sister Cora McKnight Byars, and his daughter Laura Campbell.