Luther T. Knight, known to all who knew him as Tom, passed peacefully just after midnight, June 11, 2014, at Riverside Walter Reed Hospital. He was 87, though his heart was eternally youthful.

Tom is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Gloria; sons from his first marriage, Terry and Timothy, and three children through his marriage to Gloria, Kirk, Karla, and Kraig. He is also survived by siblings, Curtis, Sandy, Sonny, JD, June, Tina and Earl.

As he arrived in that greater place he was met by his father, Junius Elliott Knight; his mother, Rhotenah Benton-Knight; brothers, Braxton, Alfred and Howard, and his eldest son, Thomas.

Tom was born in the Township of Holly Grove, N.C., and shortly thereafter the family relocated to Hampton where he grew up and was a graduate of Hampton High school. A stellar athlete, he played football, baseball and basketball. He graduated a Crabber in June 1948. He went on to serve in the Merchant Marine with honor. Always affable, and a great salesman, Tom began his career in furniture working at Greene’s after a stint at being a postman in Hampton. He would eventually find his own shop in Newport News with his friend Al Mann, called the Heritage House.

Eventually the store would close, and Tom and Gloria relocated to a beautiful house on the water in Gloucester, just as they dreamed. Tom soon applied his green thumb transforming bare soil into a beautiful grove of trees and verdant lawn. He spent the last two decades of his life looking out over the York River that he loved, eating croaker caught by his grandchildren, taking care of his wife, and making friends of everyone he met. Each who met him seemed to love him. News of his passing affected many.

Per Tom’s request, services will not be held. He instead wanted people to remember him as he was: friendly, jovial, and always with an anecdote or historical note about the people and community that he loved. He never forgot a name and never forgot a story.

The family requests in lieu of flowers or other gifts that contributions be made in his name to Gloucester EMS or Riverside Walter Reed Hospital in Gloucester, who had saved his life more than once, and struggled to do so a final time.

Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory, Gloucester, is in charge of arrangements.