Daniel Lester Knight

Daniel Lester Knight passed away June 10, 2023 with family by his side after a courageous 6-year battle with ALS. Dan fought the disease supported by family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and caregivers. Dan led the "Doing It For Dan" Team in the 2018 and 2019 Jax ALS Walks with his Black Knight co-workers, friends and family in full force. He bravely met his goal to see his son graduate from high school on June 5, 2023.
Dan is survived by his loving wife of 22 years Cathy Raczykowski Knight, their son Zakery Andrew Knight, mother Margaret Knight, brother Jay Knight (Molly), sister Lynn Kowkabany (Rob), mother-in-law Diane Raczykowski, nieces Jayne Knight, Kelly Currie, Leah Carlson, Julia Raczykowski, Zoe Raczykowski, and nephew Jeremy Kowkabany. Dan was predeceased by his father Andrew Knight.
Dan was born in Avon Park, Florida on December 16, 1961 to Margaret Tanner Knight and Andrew Jackson Knight. Dan moved with his family to Jacksonville in 1972 and graduated from Wolfson High School in 1979. While in high school, Dan volunteered at the Planetarium at the Museum of Science and History and there met his lifelong friend Russell Grokett who shared a mutual interest in personal computers before most people knew they existed. After attending the University of Florida and graduating from the University of North Florida, Dan and Russell began taking adventure trips rafting the Grand Canyon, Canada, Alaska and Chile, snowmobiling in Yellowstone and Iceland culminating with a solar eclipse trip in 2017 as Dan was first experiencing the debilitating effects of ALS. Initially Dan taught at Sandalwood High School before making a career change and working for more than 25 years at Fidelity National Financial, Inc., later Black Knight Financial Services. He furthered his career by graduating from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2003 and working as a corporate attorney. He was an avid Florida Gators and Jacksonville Jaguars fan as well as a lover of fast convertibles, basset hounds, all things NASA, especially rocket launches. Dan will be remembered for quick wit and humor even when ALS made speech difficult.
A private interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Contributions may be made in Dan's memory to ciljacksonville.org or hopelovescompany.org.
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