Amy Roloff Mourns Father Gordon Knight Following His Death at 97

Gordon Knight, the father of television personality Amy Roloff, has died at the age of 97. His grandson, Jacob Roloff, confirmed the news on social media on Tuesday, October 27, disclosing that Knight had passed away three weeks prior, on October 5. Knight, who occasionally appeared on TLC's long-running docuseries 'Little People, Big World,' was remembered by relatives for his active lifestyle and dedication to his family.

Following the announcement, 64-year-old Amy Roloff addressed her father's passing in the comments of her son's Instagram post, sharing her grief and reflecting on past visits. 'Never often enough to take all you four kids to see grandma and grandpa over the years,' she wrote, voicing regret that trips were not more frequent when her children were young. She added, 'I\'m happy you had a chance to go and visit grandpa with me as an adult. I hope each one of you will have a special fond memory of him.' Amy shares Jacob, Jeremy, Zachary, and Molly Roloff with her ex-husband, Matt Roloff.

In his online tribute, 29-year-old Jacob shared photographs and childhood memories of traveling to Michigan to visit his grandparents. He recalled that while Knight could seem imposing to a young child, his warmth always came through. 'He may have intimidated me a bit, as grandpas can do, but he would smile and wink and you could feel softness,' Jacob wrote. He described how his grandfather carved walking sticks for his grandchildren, took them canoeing, and guided his only two lifetime fishing outings.

Jacob also highlighted Knight's welcoming spirit at the family cabin, which Knight originally built intending it only for himself and his wife. According to Jacob, his grandfather was delighted as the family expanded, happily welcoming relatives who pitched tents, strung hammocks, and placed cots across the property. Jacob praised his grandfather's enduring physical vitality, noting that Knight was still maintaining muzzleloader firearms and driving his Corvette just four months before his death at age 97.

Knight lived long enough to spend time with the family's newest generation, including Jacob and his wife Isabel Rock's 4-year-old son, Mateo. Jacob expressed gratitude that his young son had the opportunity to visit Knight, describing his grandfather as an admirable person who stayed active, social, kind, and fully engaged with life up until his final months.

Beyond his occasional television appearances, Knight had a long career in the automotive industry. According to his obituary, he worked for 30 years as a civil and structural engineer for Ford Motor Company. During his retirement, he enjoyed participating in historical re-enactments and was known for a sharp sense of humor along with exceptional building and design skills.

Amy Roloff had previously documented her efforts to prioritize time with her aging father. In an Instagram post published earlier in 2024, she shared a photo alongside Knight, writing that she cherished each moment they had together and advising followers never to let precious time with loved ones slip away.

The loss occurs during a transitional period for the Roloff family, whose show concluded its run in 2024 after airing for 18 years. Jacob and Isabel recently announced plans to relocate from their rental residence on Roloff Farms in Helvetia, Oregon, after Matt Roloff placed a 16-acre portion of the farm on the market for $2.6 million. Despite tensions over the property, family members have continued to share personal milestones and tributes to their loved ones publicly.