Tommy "Leo" McKnight, 85, of Wesley Chapel Fl, passed away on December 17, 2023. He was born in Flynn, Tx in 1938 to Tommy Lee and Lula Elizabeth Grimes McKnight. He attended Jeff Davis High School in Houston and was lettered in three Varsity sports and actively participated in chorus and drama. After high school, he pursued a career in Commercial Construction Management in Houston before moving to Atlanta, Ga in 1965. He was very successful as a General Contractor in Commercial Construction, and owned and operated his own business. He remained in Commercial Construction until his retirement.

His faith in God was first, then family.

Leo was also a pastor, ordained in the Assemblies of God. He established and built a church in Marietta, Ga, pastoring there for several years.

He was very active in the West Cobb community. He coached football and baseball with the Mableton Tigers Youth Organization, and served on the Board of Trustees for the organization for many years after he retired from coaching. He was a pillar in his community and was always there for any one when the need arose. He was a friend to all and a Master Carpenter.

After retiring, Leos hobby was woodworking. He attended Grace Life Church in Marietta, Ga. where he enjoyed spending time completing maintenance jobs around the property. In 2019, he moved to Wesley Chapel, Fl where he lived out the rest of his life bird and alligator watching, watching Georgia Bulldog football, and creating trinkets and furniture for family and friends in the woodshop. He and his wife attended Life Church in Wesley Chapel.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Tommy Lee and Elizabeth Grimes McKnight and his siblings, Jewel Davis, Esther Gilbert, Elmer McKnight, Melvin McKnight, James McKnight, Reba White Coberley, and Fay Buchanan.

Leo is survived by his wife of 29 years, Helen Mcknight Wesley Chapel; his brother Charles N Mcknight Edmond OK; his children Lynne McKnight McCannon (Kirk) Powder Springs Ga, Tommy Leo McKnight Jr Marietta Ga, Janet McKnight Whiteside (Jay) Woodstock Ga, Kenneth M. Mandich (Jennifer) Marietta Ga, Christopher C. Mandich- Hardinsburg IN, and Sharon Mandich McFeron (David) Wesley Chapel Fl. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren; Blake McCannon, Britni McCannon Thomas, Jenna Wix Morehart, Savannah Rose McKnight, Nicholas McKnight, Haley McKnight Childers, Natasha and Trevor Mandich, Bryce Mandich, and Peytra, Keira, and Ewan McFeron. He had 9 great-grandchildren; Dylan and Kayla McKnight, Charlie Cade Morehart, Emalynne and McKenzie Thomas, Lynnlee McCannon, Avery, Glavine, and Sidney Childers.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Grace Life Church in Marietta, Ga on Saturday January 20th, 2024. Visitation will be at 11am with service following at 11:30am. Interment will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Strong WAL Foundation (Aged Ministers Fund) through https://mygracelife.net/give