Mentone, CA - David Bruce Knight was born November 11, 1949 in Redlands, CA to Bruce Edward and Patricia Catherine Walsh Knight. Dave passed away on January 2, 2026 in Redlands due to cancer.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Charles Edward Knight.

David is survived by his son Richard Knight of Redlands and daughter Laurie (Stewart) Mawyer of Klein, Texas and his granddaughters Georgia, Alice, and Vivian Mawyer.

David grew up in Redlands where he attended Crafton Elementary School, Redlands Junior High, and Redlands High School (class of 1967). While in high school, David was an active member of the FFA, took many welding courses, and participated in band. While in high school, he worked for Frank Jacinto Farming. After graduation, David attended Cal Poly Pomona for a single quarter to prove to his parents that he did not belong in college. He promptly returned to Redlands where he purchased his first orange grove to continue working as a farmer and working for Frank Jacinto.

He enlisted in the US Navy as a Sea Bee in October 1969 and served until August 1975. David enlisted as a Sea Bee to leverage his knowledge and skills in operating heavy machinery. He was fortunate he never got sent to Vietnam and was mostly stationed at Coronado. This allowed him to travel home on the weekends to continue to care for his grove.

He was an active member of the Boy Scouts where he achieved being an Eagle Scout. After his time as a Scout, he still participated by leading hikes. One of his favorite achievements was completing the Nine Peaks hike multiple times and leading other Scouts on that adventure. He stayed involved with the Scouts as the pancake flipper for the Boy Scouts annual Easter Breakfast at the Redlands United Methodist Church for many decades.

Since growing citrus and avocados at two different properties wasn't enough work, David also became a commercial beekeeper. He ran bees throughout the Central Valley, including Harris Ranch, with his best friend, Peter Garretson.

David spent many years as a shareholder, board member, vice president, and/or president of multiple agriculture water boards. He was involved with the Lugonia Water Company, Crafton Heights Pipeline Company, Bear Valley Mutual Water Company, Redlands Water Company, and Crafton Water Company. He was a well respected member of the agricultural water community and his knowledge about the pipeline systems and water law was unparalleled.

Per David's request there will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Redland Scholarship Foundation in the care of the Bruce E. Knight Family Memorial Scholarship.