rknighton.jpgJ. Raymond Knighton Jr., the founder of MAP International, died on Aug. 30 of congestive heart failure. He was 81.
Knighton was working as the first executive director of the Christian Medical Society in 1954 when an acquaintance at a pharmaceutical company offered him a batch of extra medicine. He gave the supplies to medical missionaries and launched a branch of the society called the Medical Assistance Programs. MAP became an independent agency nine years later with Knighton serving as its president.
For the past half century, MAP International has given medicine and supplies to millions of poor people worldwide. It also provides health education and training in Africa and Latin America.
Knighton received many honors for his philanthropic service, including a knighthood in the Order of Christopher Columbus from the Dominican Republic and a Layman’s Citation for Distinguished Service from the American Medical Association.