Marvin Knight, Sr.

Marvin Knight, Sr., age 90 of Riverside, OH, passed away on July 22, 2026. He was born on October 22, 1935 in Kansas City, KS, to parents William and Murlene Knight.

Marvin and his wife, Janice, met in first grade when they were 6 years old. Marvin and Janice attended school together and dated in high school, attending junior and senior prom together. The couple married in 1955.

Marvin attended Kansas University, graduating in 1958. He was the third Black person in Kansas University history to achieve a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering. He was also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

In 1961 Marvin, his wife, and two children moved to Dayton, OH, where he started his career at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as a Chemical Engineer, Marvin retired from WPAFB in 1993 after 32 years of hard work and civil service.

Marvin was an avid bowler and enjoyed coaching children in the sport, especially his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed photography, as well as building and programming computers.

He is preceded in death by his parents, William Sr. and Murlene Knight; brother, William Knight Jr., and other beloved family members.

Left to cherish Marvin’s memory are his wife of 71 years, Janice Knight; five children, Marvin Knight Jr. (Deana), Shirlann Knight (Mustapha Mansour), Roxann Pinkney, Jeffery Knight, and Adrienne Flowers (Henry); 13 grandchildren, James Crawford (Bobbi), Liban Knight (Rachel), Hyatt Hammad (Sam Wamsley), Victor Pinkney, Rachael Knight, Jasmine Pinkney, Olivia Knight, Courtney Knight, Kyle Knight, Selena Knight, David Smith, Joshua Smith, Elijah Smith; 4 great grandchildren, Mariah Crawford, Destiny Crawford, Calvin Crawford, Aaliyah Crawford; as well as a niece, Cherita Knight, and great niece, Joyce Knight, several nephews, cousins, and close family friends, Brenda Knight and Vernon Pinkney.

Friends and family will gather for visitation on Saturday, August 8, at Routsong Funeral Home Kettering (2100 E. Stroop Rd) from 3-4pm, then a memorial service starting at 4pm.