05/07/2026
The Surfrider Foundation Virginia Chapter honors the legacy of Barry D. Knight. We are deeply grateful for his support in helping secure approval of Virginia’s Surfrider license plate, creating funding that continues to support our mission to protect our coast.
His dedication to Virginia Beach and commitment to serving the community will not be forgotten.
Virginia Beach leaders unanimously voted Tuesday to rename the Owl Creek Boat Ramp in honor of longtime delegate Barry D. Knight, remembered for his decades of service and deep ties to the community.
Knight died in February at 71 years old after battling cancer for 2 years. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates for more than 20 years, building a reputation for focusing on local issues that mattered most to his district. "But what was amazing to me, how he was able to cross party lines work with everybody, get things done, but he did it with heart and soul," Mayor Bobby Dyer said.
Knight's family was present for the tribute and said the location feels especially fitting. "I really think y’all picked the right thing. Barry is a fisherman and the boat ramp is just perfect," a family member said. The renaming ensures Knight's legacy will live on along the water — where the community he served can continue to gather.
