James P. Knight, Jr. (1925 - 2009) was of counsel at Knight, Mozingo, Quarles & Simpson, PLLC from its inception until his death.

 

Mr. Knight was born January 29, 1925, in Greenwood, Mississippi. Brought up in the Great Depression he worked from a young age to help support his family. Upon his graduation from Greenwood High School in 1942, he enlisted in the army and served in George Patton's 10th armored division in World War II from 1943 through 1946. He received the Purple Heart from a wound received in Germany shortly before the Battle of the Bulge, as well as other decorations.

Following the war he attended Mississippi State University on the G. I. Bill graduating with a degree in accounting in 1948. He later passed the CPA examination and took a job with the Internal Revenue Service, working there for seventeen years while supporting his family, including both elderly parents. He attended the Jackson School of Law at night and passed the bar exam, becoming a lawyer in 1964. He practiced tax and business law the rest of his career.

Many of those years he was a partner with his son Jimmy. At Knight, Mozingo, Quarles & Simpson, PLLC, Mr. Knight was a welcome face every afternoon. While he handled the occasional estate probate, he most enjoyed his coffee, the afternoon newspaper, and discussing current events and legal strategy with the other lawyers.