Ronald Glenn Knight

Ronald Glenn Knight, known to his family and friends as Duke, passed away on February 26, 2026, at the age of 71 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Born on November 13, 1964, in Leavenworth, Kansas, Duke moved with his family to Silver City, New Mexico, in July 1966. It was there that his lifelong love for the Gila Wilderness and fishing first took root. He graduated from Silver City High School in 1973, earned a bachelor’s degree from Western New Mexico University in December 1991, and received a Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Academic Achievement. He worked as an accountant for 25 years before retiring in 2016.

Duke married Deidre Kauffman in December 1977, and they had a son, Cameron Glenn Knight of Cincinnati, Ohio. In 2000, he married Sara Swann on May 31, and the couple had just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this past May. He was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Lois Knight, and by Sara’s daughter, Dyana Pirtle.

He is survived by his wife, Sara; Sara’s sons, Charles Pirtle and his wife Jessica, and Ethan Pirtle and his wife Sarah; his son, Cameron Knight and his wife Jennifer; his sister Connie Walsh and her husband Matthew of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; his brother Larry Knight and his wife Cathy of La Grange, Georgia; and his younger sister Sally Knight and her partner Susan Entrop of Roswell, New Mexico. Known lovingly as Poppa Duke, he and Sara shared seven grandchildren: Guin, Robby, Sami, Layla, Lucas, Wayne, and Eli.

Duke will be remembered for his good nature, generosity, and kindness. He traveled to China for work and often spoke of the many things he saw and experienced there. His love of adventure drew him from the desert into the mountains, where he enjoyed camping, fishing, four-wheeling with friends, and exploring the outdoors. He served as president of the Las Cruces 4-Wheel Drive Club for two years and as chairman of the Las Cruces 4-Wheel Drive Chile Challenge for two years. His greatest joy was taking his grandchildren to the special places he had discovered. At a later date, his family will return his ashes to the mountains and lakes he loved so much.