John Garvin Gann Sr.

It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of John Garvin Gann Sr. He died at age 86 on April 23, 2023. John was raised in Sylacauga, Alabama and graduated from Sylacauga High School in 1955. He went on to the University of Alabama on a football scholarship and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Labor Management in 1959. He was a member of Kappa Sig fraternity.

John was a successful home builder and developer in Madison County for 60 years. He was active in the Huntsville Madison County Builders Association where he served as Past President and was inducted into the HMCBA Housing Hall of Fame. He was a lifetime Director for the National Home Builders Association and served as an FHA Inspector for many years. He mentored countless business owners throughout his career. John was an active member of Willowbrook Baptist Church. He was a deeply devoted Christian who held himself in faith daily.

John is survived by: His sister Jean Nelson, His children Jennifer Gann and her partner Chris Corum; John Garvin Gann Jr. and his wife Tonia; Jade Raths and her husband Michael. His grandchildren Will Chandler and his fiancé Karen Pidloan; Patrick Chandler his wife Sara; John Gann III; Blair Wooten; Harris Gehrdes; Emerson Raths. His great grandchildren Ada and Wesley Chandler. John is preceded in death by: His parents John Henry Gann and Jean Pope Gann, His brother Gerald Gann and his grandchild Jackson Gann.

John loved Alabama football, fishing and his grandchildren. He was loved and respected by many and impacted countless number of lives. Everyone has a John Gann story, his character was larger the life. Football season and the construction industry won’t be the same without him. His family, his friends and his community will forever miss him. As an expression of sympathy, the family welcomes donations to Merrimack Hall, a non-profit that provides services to special needs adults and children in the Huntsville community. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made online in memory of John Gann at https://merrimackhall.com/donate-online/.

Visitation for John will be held Thursday, May 4, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Valhalla Funeral Home, 698 Winchester Rd NE, Huntsville, Alabama 35811, followed by the celebration of life service at 2:00 PM. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.valhallafunerals.com for the Gann family.