Joseph Sidney McKnight

Joseph Sidney McKnight, age 92, of Sautee, Georgia, passed away Sunday, April 15, 2012.

He was born November 13, 1919, in Hugo, Colorado, to John Hearn and Edna Steward McKnight. Mr. McKnight was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Bonnie Barker McKnight.

He is survived by their three daughters and their spouses; Jody and Jim Brown, Jackson, Mississippi; Susie and Cal Calhoun, Atlanta, Georgia; Jennie and Dan Schipper, Flowery Branch, Georgia. Additionally, he leaves six grandchildren and their families; Cathy and Bruce Shofner and their children Catie and Rebecca; Jim and Katherine Brown and their children, Rush, Ben, Meg, and Kate; Jo Frances Calhoun, Lacey and John Sikora and their children, Sam and Keeley; Corine and Adam Parker and David Theobald.

Mr. McKnight was a graduate of Colorado A&M College with a degree in Forestry. He then received his graduate degree in Forestry from Yale University. He was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, serving as a Naval Pilot in the Pacific Theatre during WWII.

In 1946 he began forestry research work in the southern states before becoming the Assistant Director of State and Private Forests for the southeastern U.S. Retiring from the U.S. Forest Service in 1974 as Director of Cooperative Forestry in Washington DC, Sid established his own forestry consulting firm headquartered in Atlanta, GA. He worked for many of the major industrial wood-using firms and non-industry land owners to improve their forest management. He became recognized as an expert witness in forestry litigation. He was the editor of the Southern Journal of Applied Forestry for 13 years and was inducted into the Georgia Foresters Hall of Fame.

He retired to Skylake, a community in Sautee Nacoochee, GA, where he was instrumental in trail building and tree management.

Sid suffered from progressive dementia, and the family wishes to thank the caregivers of Peachtree Plantation, and Seasons Hospice and Odyssey Hospice, Oakwood, GA, for their kind and considerate care.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 AM Thursday, April 19, 2012 at Nacoochee United Methodist Church. The Rev. Chris Schurtz and the Rev. Lyndon Eubanks will officiate. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6-7 PM Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Building Fund for the Nacoochee United Methodist Church, 1371 Highway 17, Sautee-Nacoochee, GA 30571.

Online condolences can be made to the family at barrettfh.com

Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland, GA.