Marvin Maddox (Buddy) McKnight

Marvin Maddox (Buddy) McKnight, age 62, passed away on April 14, 2024 in his hometown, Jackson TN.

Buddy was born on July 12, 1961 in Jackson, TN, the son of Sandra Maddox McKnight and the late Joe Nip McKnight. He attended Malesus Elementary school and South Side Junior High and High School. Buddy enjoyed all kinds of outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, motorcycle riding, and helping with the family cattle farm which he lovingly refers to as The Homeplace. He graduated from South Side in 1979 and went on to receive an Associates of Science degree from Jackson State Community College in 1981. He then attended Middle Tennessee State University where he completed prerequisites for Physical Therapy school. Buddy graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee College of Health Sciences with a degree in physical therapy in 1984. He furthered his education by receiving board recognition as a specialist in sports physical therapy and by becoming certified as a licensed athletic trainer. Buddy was someone who had a reputation for going out of his way to help other people and he had a full career serving Jackson and surrounding areas as a physical therapist before he retired in 2021. Highlights of his career, which began at Jackson General Hospital, included being named Director of Sports Rehab at West Tennessee Rehab Center and Physical Therapist of the Year in Tennessee. His co-workers were aware of his competency, compassion, loyalty, and ability to make work fun. Buddy also preached that “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”. This sentiment embodies who Buddy was; an uncompromising friend who will be remembered by how good he made people feel. Buddy was proud of his career, but he would claim his greatest accomplishment to be his two children. Buddy always told them that “hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t work hard” and this has led them to successful starts to their careers as a clinical pharmacist and an aerospace engineer. He adored his kids who hold dear the stories they will be privileged to tell their families of their witty, loving father.

Buddy was preceded in death by his father, Joe Nip McKnight.

He is survived by his children, Madison McKnight of Durham, NC and Maddox McKnight of Newport, NC; their mother, Janna Sipes McKnight of Jackson; his mother, Sandra Maddox McKnight and his sister, Meg McKnight both of Sonoma, CA.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the North Chapel of George A. Smith and Sons. Following visitation, an escorted procession will go to Ebenezer Cemetery in Malesus for a graveside service at 1:00 p.m., officiated by Rev. Sky McCracken of First United Methodist Church.