David Earl Kight

David Earl Kight, beloved husband, Rad Dad, Granddaddy, "Foghorn", left us all too soon on January 8, 2026, at the age of 66. His battle with Primary Progressive Aphasia / Frontotemporal Dementia, became 'only a matter of time' from his diagnosis in 2019.

Born in Norfolk, VA, to Major L. Kight Jr. and Carmen (Bateman) Kight, David spent his earlier years in Virginia Beach before moving with his family to Lakeland, FL, where he was an incoming Junior at Lakeland High School, a member of the Class of '77. Ironically, he dated several of Lisa's friends, as she had moved to Alabama at about the same time he moved to Florida.

David and Lisa met August 6, 1978, fighting over a parking space at what was then Tapper's Pub, were engaged on September 19 of that same year, and were married May 5, 1979. This year, they would have seen their 47th Anniversary. Together, they have raised three daughters, Katie, Kristina, and Shelby; have shared many of life's ups and downs; and survived them all, until this.

If you've ever heard the quote, "Whatever it is you choose to be, be a good one", he lived by it. David began working for Publix in Lakeland, FL, in the garage Parts Department. The opportunity arose to move to the expanding Jacksonville facility, which led him to move the family up to Orange Park, FL, in 1988. He became a Truck Driver for Publix shortly after the move. It was a job that he dearly loved, working with fellow Drivers who were more like family than simply coworkers.

As a Driver, David competed in the FTA State Truck Driving Championships (ROAD-E-O's), and qualified multiple times to compete at the ATA National Truck Driving Championships; winning at that level twice – once in 1990 as the First Driver from Florida (and Publix) to win at the Nationals in over 30 years of competition, and then again in 2000. He trained dozens of new Drivers, patiently showing them the big and little things they would need to know to help them launch successful and safe driving careers. He was also an Expert Witness for an Attorney in South Florida, testifying for the Trucking Industry in Federal cases.

To help stay fit, David took up Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido at MUDO College. He trained in the evenings for over 30 years, earning his Third Dan in Tae Kwon Do and his Second Dan in Hapkido. On occasion, he even helped teach.

The 'Rad Dad', David was an excellent daughter-daddy. He read the stories, beat the Nintendo bad guys no one could beat, took away the headaches and chills, terrified the 'wannabe' suitors, and welcomed the right ones. He was patient and encouraging. As 'Granddaddy', he was good about remembering to make time to play and laugh with his 'littles'.

David had an incredibly deep and distinctive voice. He was an announcer at events and FTA State Truck Driving competitions, a teller of a myriad of (and often repeated) jokes and anecdotes, a singer of re-worded songs, a recorder of hilarious voicemails, and the reader of countless bedtime stories.

One rarely spotted David without a hat. He wore hats from special events, hats from where his kids worked, hats he was given, and hats that he had made. He wore them to show support for the things he cared about, the interests of those he loved, and the fun memories he had made with his friends.

David is preceded in passing by his parents, his sister Jo (Kight) Watts, and his sister-in-law, Priscilla (Bradford) Kight. He is survived by his wife, Lisa (Lungmus) Kight, their three daughters and their families: Katie, with David, Ben, and Emily Godwin; Kristina, with Elliott Perroni and Margeaux Baker; and Shelby, with Ryan and Norah Graham and Aiden Murphy; his brother Major L. Kight III; his sister Patti (Kight) Soper and her husband Randy Soper; and his many nieces and nephews and their families. He is missed more than words can say.

A celebration of David's life will be held at Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home at 529 Kingsley Avenue in Orange Park, FL, on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., with a reception immediately following at the Orange Park Women's Club, 130 Kingsley Avenue.

*In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Community Hospice of Jacksonville, via the main Donation Foundation phone number at 904-886-3883, in David Earl Kight's name (he was their patient number 675903). The level of support and care that was provided, both to him and us as a family, was invaluable and allowed us to keep him home with us until he passed, as was his wish.