Local business owner, elder die in county

Two local men, one a bus driver and operator of a small engine repair shop and the other a local pastor, died just before the Christmas holiday.

A complete list of all the local obituaries appears on Page 9 of this week’s edition.

Dickie McKnight

James Richard "Dickie" McKnight, owner of Dick’s Lawnmower and Saw Repair, died unexpectedly after having chest pain on Christmas Eve. Mr. McKnight had heart trouble in the past, said his wife, Carol Norman McKnight.

He had operated the business near his home since April 1967, she said. McKnight also was well known as a Glade Creek School bus driver. He started driving the school bus around the same time he opened his business, his wife said.

He built one of the first racing lawnmowers in the county and drove it himself in the inaugural race. He stopped driving after a few years, but continued to attend races regularly and often gave tips and advice to racers and helped work on their mowers.

He attended Mount Carmel Baptist Church for many years. McKnight, a local inventor, is also well known for working with wind and solar power at his home.