Dallas’ first Black city manager, Richard Knight Jr., dies at 76
Knight had been assistant city manager for four years before he was appointed as Dallas’ top administrator in 1986. He served in that role until 1990.
January 18, 1987 – From left: William Thomas and Mavis and Richard Knight are seen in this Fete Set photo.(Joe Laird – staff photographer)
Richard Knight Jr., Dallas’ first Black city manager, died Monday. He was 76 years old.
Knight’s son, Marcus, confirmed that his father died but declined to provide details, saying he and other relatives were in the process of notifying family members and friends.
Knight had been assistant city manager for four years before he was hired as the top administrator in 1986. He served in that role until 1990.
“We’re very sad that he’s no longer here with us, but we’re grateful and proud of who he was and what he’s done for our family and for this community,” said his son. “It’s been a tough day.”
Born in Georgia, Knight was an Army veteran who served in Vietnam. He earned a bachelor’s from Fort Valley State College in Georgia and a master’s from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
Knight also had served in top roles in Durham and Carrboro, both in North Carolina, and in Gainesville, Fla. before working in Dallas.
Knight was about to leave his post as acting city manager in Dallas and follow the top leader, Charles Anderson, to DART when the City Council in 1986 tapped him to succeed Anderson. In his assistant role, Knight had been in charge of every department in the city, making him a natural fit for the top job. Knight had not been a candidate for the post.
Known as “Mr. Fix-it” in City Hall under Anderson, Knight was known for his quiet, effective way of dealing with issues wherever problems arose. He resigned in 1990 to take an executive job at Caltex Petroleum Corp.
Knight was credited then with guiding the city through its toughest economic period and helping repair relationships with the Police Department and the city’s communities of color. He also gained a reputation for hiring and promoting people of color in City Hall.
PUBLISHED November 20, 1988 SHOT November 10, 1988 From left: Joy Mankoff, Richard Knight and Ronald Mankoff are seen in this Fete Set photo.(JOE LAIRD – staff photographer)
At the time of his resignation, former City Council member and activist Diane Ragsdale praised him for working to end neglect in Southern Dallas.
During his tenure as city manager, Knight oversaw the completion of the Meyerson Symphony Center in 1989 and expansions of the Cotton Bowl in Fair Park and the Dallas Convention Center, which was renamed after former state senator Kay Bailey Hutchison in 2013.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson called Knight “a trailblazer” who spent his life serving Dallas.
“His selection as the first African American city manager in Dallas history helped show our city what was possible,” Johnson said in a statement. “His inclusive leadership style opened doors to many to pursue lives in public service. And his dedication to our communities after he left City Hall was exemplary.”
U.S. Rep. Collin Allred tweeted on Tuesday that “Richard Knight was a dedicated public servant who broke barriers and worked for a better Dallas. From the Cotton Bowl to the Convention Center, our city is influenced by his efforts and he will be missed.”
Knight had most recently founded Fort Worth-based Knight Waste Services and was the company’s chairman. He was also a former board chairman at the State Fair of Texas, as well as a former board member of the University of North Texas Board of Regents, Boy Scouts of America, North Texas Public Broadcasting, the Children’s Medical Center of Dallas and the Dallas Citizens Council.
Knight also founded KnightCo Oil Company, which he sold in 2004.
He is survived by his wife, three adult sons as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren.
