Barry Dean Knight

Barry Dean Knight, 71, went to be with his Lord and Savior surrounded by family at home on February 19, 2026. Barry was the son of the late Bev & Ernestine Wright Middleton and late Tom Knight. He was the grandson of the late Linwood Alton Wright. He was predeceased by sisters Gale Knight Dunlap and Beverly Middleton Hathaway.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 42 years, Paula Whitehurst Knight, sons Hunter (Janna), Kyle (Marisa), Forrest (Molly) and 5 grandchildren Bridger, Linwood, Eli, Briar and Sawyer Knight. Sisters' Shannon Knight and Terry Knight Burton (Billy), brothers' John Middleton (Judy) and Wayne Middleton (Cindy), and brother-in-law John Hathaway.

Barry was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church where he has served as a Deacon, Grounds Committee Chairman and Business Meeting Moderator.

Barry began working odd jobs at age 14 and worked on a neighbor's farm until he was 26 when he purchased his own farm. Barry also worked winters as a long haul trucker. He grew Barry D. Knight Farms to 640 acres and produced as many as 25,000 finished hogs per year.

Barry served as President of the Tidewater Pork Producers from 1984-1990 and earned many awards and distinctions including:

• American Farm Bureau, Virginia Young Farmer of the Year (1983)

• Virginia Beach Jaycees, Outstanding Young Farmer (1984)

• National Pork Producers Council, Pork All-American (1989)

• City of Virginia Beach, Outstanding Agriculture Operation (1994),

• City of Virginia Beach, Man of the Year in Agriculture (1998)

• Department of Conservation and Recreation, Clean Water Farm Award (1998),

• Grand Basin Clean Water Farm Award, Chowan River (1999)

• Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Champion of Free Enterprise (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017), Chairman's Award (2017)

• Virginia Sheriffs' Association, Legislator of the Year (2016)

• Chesapeake Farmers, Outstanding Service Award (2017)

• Virginia Aviation Business Association, Advocacy Plaque of Appreciation (2018)

• Virginia League of Conservation Voters, Legislative Leadership Award (2018)

• Dr. James C. Wright Conservation Honorary Award (Virginia Beach Angler's Club) (2019)

• Free Enterprise Award (2019)

• Virginia FREE, No. 1 Pro Business Legislator

• Barry was appointed by two Governors to the Virginia Pork Board. He was also appointed to the Virginia Beach Planning Commission in 2003 and was elected chair in 2006 and also served on

• FACT Fund Advisory Commission

• Virginia Dare Soil and Water Conservation District (board of directors)

• Virginia Beach Farm Bureau (vice president)

• Military Aviation Museum (board of directors)

• Southern States Cooperative-Chesapeake Association (former chairman)

• Virginia Pork Industry Board

• Back Bay/Pungo Civic League

• Creeds Ruritan Club

He also was a Women's league softball coach and Little League baseball coach

Barry was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in January 2009. Barry served on the General Laws Committee, Transportation Committee, the Counties, Cities and Towns Committee, Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee, Rules Committee, was Chairman of Appropriations where he oversaw $190 billion budget, and served on and was Chairman of numerous subcommittees.

As Delegate, Barry was named 2021 Legislator of the Year by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and was named Legislator of the Year by the Virginia Sheriffs' Association. The Agribusiness Council named him the Man of the Year, and he was named Port Champion by the Virginia Maritime Association. Barry also received an honorary Doctorate from Old Dominion University for his crucial role in the merger of EVMS and ODU. ODU named a lecture hall in Barry's honor at the Waitzer Hall on the EVMS campus.

Barry enjoyed fishing and has fished from the Bahamas to Alaska. He was an avid hunter who rarely missed a shot. Barry became a helicopter pilot in 2001 and enjoyed flying his friends around Pungo. Barry also loved riding his Harley-Davidson with friends on many trips across the country, where he visited all 48 contiguous states. Barry could operate any heavy machinery he sat on. He was a man of many talents.

Barry will be remembered as a person who loved people and loved to laugh. He was quick-witted and could tell a good joke. Most will remember that he would be laughing so hard in the middle of telling a joke that we would end up laughing at him and not necessarily the joke. He was a great husband, father and granddaddy and a true friend to many. He will surely be missed.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, February 28 at 1:00 at Oak Grove Baptist Church, 691 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23457 with Chuck Moseley officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be at the Military Aviation Museum, 1341 Princess Anne Road immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Oak Grove Baptist Church or Military Aviation Museum.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Altmeyer Funeral Homes and Crematory, Chesapeake Chapel located at 929 Battlefield Blvd. S., Chesapeake, VA 23322