Daniel O'Niel Knight

Daniel Oneil Knight was born in Portsmouth, VA, on December 27, 1935, to Adell and Daniel Knight. He died peacefully on November 6, 2022. Oneil was a beloved and devoted husband, brother, uncle and friend. He was an easy-going and caring man who loved being around family members and friends. He was always checking in on family members and close friends. If one of them became ill in the hospital, he was among the first to visit. When a family member or close friend died, he always went to the funeral. He dearly loved and cherished his wife, Ruth. They had a very special bond. They enjoyed visiting relatives and friends, traveling to cities, like Waterbury and New Haven, CT, Atlanta, GA, and New York. He and Ruth were married for 36 years. Oneil’s caring nature stemmed from growing up as the oldest son in a family of eight. He was closest in age to his sister, Alice, and brother, Tim. The three of them stuck together. They were so close that when their father wanted a chore done, such as shining his shoes, he would call Alice, Oneil and Tim. One of them would shine his shoes. The family lived in Mount Hermon and attended Mt. Hermon Baptist Temple, where Oneil was a member of the Boy Scouts and Dad was Scoutmaster. He attended I.C. Norcom High School and left in his senior year to join the U.S. Navy in April 1955. He graduated from high school in the Navy. He traveled the world in the Navy. He enjoyed going into the different ports. One of his assignments took him to Japan for four years. He also was stationed in San Diego and Long Beach, CA, Rhode Island, and Hawaii. Oneil also served in the Vietnam War, where he did two tours of duty one year each. In Vietnam, he was in charge of a combat boat that detailed one of the rivers, sweeping for mines as part of the 113th Mine Division. Before going to Vietnam, he drove his 1965 Ford Mustang from California and gave it to his sister, Athelia, who was delighted to get it because she now had her own transportation to Norfolk State University. While in the U.S. Navy, he played on his ship’s football team and was a competitive boxer. Oneil retired from the Navy on February 1, 1977. After retiring, he moved to Maryland to live with Alice. He attended Lincoln Technical Institute, where he became a certified car mechanic. Oneil worked on the special police force for the Smithsonian Institution for about two years. In the early 1980s, he moved back to Portsmouth. He was employed as a crane operator for the Norfolk Naval Base. In 1986, he married Ruth Holman. He retired from the base in 2001. All-in-all, Oneil worked 45 years for the federal government. He received many awards, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, Good Conduct Award, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. Oneil was an avid sports fan. The Washington Redskins, now called the Commanders, was his favorite team. He liked to go to Norcom High School and Norfolk State University football games. He also attended several Naval Academy games, where his nephew Brian was an assistant coach. He attended three Army-Navy games. In addition to Ruth, Alice, Timothy (Florie), and Athelia, he is survived by two other sisters, Deborah Oates and Mattie Norwood, brother Dr. Joseph Leon Knight, extended family host of nephews, nieces, and loving in-laws. Oneil was predeceased by his parents, brother Phillip Lee Knight, and stepson Eddie Borroum.

Daniel O'Niel Knight

December 27, 1935 - November 6, 2022