Gary M Knight

Gary Knight, age 84, died on February 6, 2026, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, MO.
Gary Merle Knight was born to Ivan Knight and Mary (Shearer) Knight at their home on August 7, 1941. He attended the Unionville Grade School until 3rd grade, then transferred to the Douglas Rural School in Putnam County. He then went to Unionville High school where he graduated in 1959. During these formative years, Gary worked with his parents at their family owned store - Knight's Store west of Unionville.
Gary drove a truck for several years after high school and went to auction school in 1967, which resulted in a very successful auction business for about 45 years. He was well known and respected in that business throughout northeast Missouri and southern Iowa. In 1976, he obtained his real estate broker's license and owned his own business until 2017 when he sold the business but continued as a sales person until his time of death.
He had two sons, James Bradley Knight and Gary Bruce Knight. Gary added two more children, David Leo Crossgrove and Angela Ann (Crossgrove) Cool when he married Mitzie Ann Crossgrove on November 25, 1977.
In their years shared together, he & Mitzie enjoyed camping, boating and traveling. And they rarely missed an opportunity to support their grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews at ballgames and other activities. Attending these events brought them immense pride and joy.
Gary and Mitzie were active members and enjoyed serving at the Unionville First Christian Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents Ivan & Mary Knight, brother Larry Knight in infancy, brother Carroll Knight, sister-in-law Lillian, and brother Gerald Knight, sister-in-law Janeine, nephew-in-law Chris Tolias and great-niece Vivian Powell.
He is survived by his wife Mitzie, children Brad Knight (Brenda), Bruce Knight (Carol), David Crossgrove (Sara), Angie Cool (Tim), nine grandchildren Macey Tipton (Clint), Jamie Estep (Jakob), Kasey Knight, Erin Ballard (Brandon), Dillon Crossgrove (Alyssa), Brennan Breuer (Chris), Alyssa Fillmore (Andrew), KJ Cool (Katrina), Kameron Cool (Kali), and 28 great-grandchildren Josie, Brenley, and Sadie Tipton, Caroline and Charlotte Estep, Lillie, Kinley, and Charlie Ballard, Jane, Leo, Noah, Lucy, and Benjamin Crossgrove, Kaiya, Alyvia, Kohen, and Addalia Fillmore, Weston, Hudson, Paxton, and Carson Cool, Hunter, Kannon, Lily, Karrigan, Karter, Kynser, and Blakely Cool. And numerous dearly loved nieces and nephews.
Gary will be remembered for his strong work ethic, quiet integrity, and genuine faith he showed to his family, friends and everyone with whom he worked. Gary will leave a lasting legacy in both his family and his community.