Ronald Coleman Knight

Ronald Coleman Knight passed away on June 25, 2025, peacefully at home. He was born in Knoxville, TN on May 21, 1932. He was the son of the late James Elmer Knight and Frankie Della Kidwell. He was the second of three children.

On January 20, 1948, at age 15 ½, he joined the United States Air Force (his mom lied to the recruiter of his age so he could join). After basic training at Lackland AFB, he was assigned to the 116th AACS SQ at Kaufbeuren Air Base in Germany. Ronald was in Germany during the Berlin Air Lift, from start to its finish. He spent 6 years in Germany, mostly with a communication squadron at Munich-Reim Airport in Munich, Germany. He also served various assignments, including 3 years in Alaska before coming to DMAFB in 1963. He stayed at DMAFB until 1965 when he was assigned with the 625th Transportation Squadron in Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam. He then was assigned to the 555 CES Triple Nickel Squadron in Dec 1967, again at Cam Rahn Bay. After serving 21 years in the USAF, he retired and returned to Vietnam in January 1968 as a civilian with unit RMK-BRJ Construction Company in Qui Nhon, Vietnam.

While in Vietnam, he later transferred to the Vinnell Corporation and worked with them for 2 years. During that time, he met the love of his life, Miss Ma Phung Nhi. They knew each other for seven years before marrying on October 5, 1972 in her hometown of Dalat, Vietnam. They had a traditional Chinese wedding with her family and friends present. In May 1973, after an extensive travel of Asia, they came to the United States and settled in Tucson, AZ. Ronald worked for the City of Tucson for a short while then ended up working as a civil servant at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

Roanld and Nhi remained in Tucson where they raised three children, loved their three grandsons, traveled, and made many friends.

Ronald will be remembered for always helping a friend in need, tinkering on cars, playing poker and making family his priority.

Ronald leaves behind to mourn him, his loving wife of 52 years, Nhi; his son, Duc (wife, Kim); his daughter, Caroline; his son, Eric (wife, Melissa), three grandsons: Jaden Yee, Ryan Knight and Brayden Knight, a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Roanld’s final resting place is at the Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery at Marana, in Marana, Arizona, where a small ceremony was held with family.

Ronald Knight will be greatly missed.