YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The City of Yuma is holding a memorial service in memory of City Councilman Gary Knight, who passed away in April.

Congressman Knight passed away on Sunday, April 14, at Banner-University Medical Center in Phoenix at the age of 77.

The memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, May 3, at the Historic Downtown Theatre, 254 S. Main Street.

A luncheon will follow at the Yuma Civic Center, 1440 W. Desert Hills Drive.

Following the ceremony, a city vehicle procession will be held from downtown Yuma to the Yuma Civic Center area in honor of Councilman Knight.

Councillor Gary Knight's biography

City Councilman Gary Knight was a Yuma native and Navy veteran who loved the outdoors and enjoyed bass fishing, trap shooting and golf.

Prior to serving on the City Council, Knight owned and operated a boat dealership for 32 years, where he was also known as “Yuma's Boat Dealer,” according to city officials.

Knight leaves behind his wife Bonnie, his children Kevin (Kana) and Melissa (Jerry), four grandchildren Joshua, Connor, Ethan and Elizabeth, his niece Tamara and his nephew Brian.

The city of Yuma said Knight was first elected in 2013 and was serving three consecutive terms on the Yuma City Council.

He served as Vice Mayor in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and has represented Council and Yuma residents on several local and state committees.

“It was an honor to serve alongside Gary Knight, and he will be remembered for his tenacity and dedication to improving our community for all Yuma residents,” said Yuma Mayor Douglas Nichols.

Knight has been with the Greater Yuma Port Authority since 2014 and helped secure $7 million for the port's real estate.

The city of Yuma said Knight was instrumental in developing a plan to develop and redevelop underutilized and blighted areas in the city's historic core when he served as vice mayor in 2016.

The city of Yuma said it has seen an increase in development activity in the district since the program was established.

Councilman Knight also served on the Executive Committee of the Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization for the past 10 years, serving as Chair in 2017 and 2023.

During his time with the organization, he played key roles in community projects including:

• Widening of U.S. Highway 95 between Yuma and the Yuma Proving Grounds
• Construction of the Fortuna Wash Bridge.

The city of Yuma said Knight was appointed to the state Transportation Commission in 2018 by former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey to a six-year term representing the 6th District, which includes the city of Yuma.

He will serve as chairman in 2023 and was still serving on the board before his death, according to the city.

According to the city of Yuma, during his time on the state Transportation Commission, Knight approved a grant that allocated $500,000 for road improvements within the Gary J. Magrino Industrial Park.

The city said he also helped fund more than $10 million for several community projects in the Yuma area, including:

• Extensions of E and D Streets in Yuma County;
• Hotel Del Sol's transportation hub,
• Widening of Cesar Chavez Street in the city of San Luis.

The City of Yuma said Knight visited City Hall daily, was a strong advocate for city employees and was always warm and welcoming.