Richard Knight Jr., Dallas’ first Black City manager, died on Monday. He was 76 years old.
Knight’s son Marcus confirmed his death but declined to provide details as he and other relatives were in the process of notifying family members and friends.
Knight was the city’s assistant manager for four years before being hired as chief administrative officer in 1986. He held this position until 1990.
“We are very sad that he is no longer with us, but we are grateful and proud of who he was and what he did for our family and for this community,” said his son. “It was a hard day.”
Knight was born in Georgia and was an Army veteran serving in Vietnam.
Richard Knight Jr., Dallas City Manager(DMN file photo / 18788)
During his tenure as City Manager, Knight oversaw the completion of the Meyerson Symphony Center in 1989, as well as the expansions to the Cotton Bowl in Fair Park and the Dallas Convention Center, renamed in 2013 after former Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson called Knight “a trailblazer” who spent his life serving Dallas.
“His election as the first African-American city manager in Dallas history helped show our city what is possible,” Johnson said in a statement. “His inclusive leadership style has opened many doors to a public service life. And his commitment to our communities after he left the town hall was exemplary. “
Knight also served as city manager in Durham and Carrboro, both in North Carolina, and in Gainesville, Florida.
Most recently he founded Knight Waste Services, based in Fort Worth, and was the company’s chairman. He was also a past chairman of the State Fair of Texas, as well as a past board member of the University of North Texas Board of Regents, Boy Scouts of America, North Texas Public Broadcasting, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, and the Dallas Citizens Council.
Knight also held executive positions at Caltex Petroleum Corp. in Dallas and Singapore and founded the KnightCo Oil Company, which he sold in 2004.
He leaves behind his wife and three grown sons.
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