Roy Thomas Gantt

Roy Thomas Gantt

Mr. Gantt of Charlotte, NC died peacefully at his home Sunday morning, January 9, 2011. He was born in Greer, SC on June 30, 1922 to the late Thomas Martin Gantt and Grace Velma Smith Gantt.

Mr. Gantt will long be remembered as a loving husband, father figure to his stepchildren and step-grandchildren, brother, uncle and friend to all who knew him. He was a man of integrity who had many talents and he enriched the lives of his friends and family by sharing these talents. He was a perfectionist in everything he did, whether it was putting a roof on his home, gardening, making draperies and clothing for his wife, making clowns, cooking or helping his customers repair their own appliances. He was one with nature and had a special bond with all of God's creatures.

After graduating from Greer High School, Mr. Gantt joined the Navy. He proudly served his country in the New Hebrides Islands with an Experimental Task Force Unit and was in charge of repair and maintenance of aircraft and electrical systems. After his discharge from the Navy, Mr. Gantt was a building contractor in Colusa, CA. He moved to Charlotte in the early '70s and joined Philco Ford as a training representative. In 1980 he opened his own business, Gantt Appliance Parts and Service. He was well known in Charlotte as a generous and astute businessman who always considered his customers needs above all, selling them parts for their appliances and teaching them how to repair their own appliances. He sold his business in 1998 and spent his retirement years selling real estate and doing the things that he loved with his family.

Mr. Gantt was a lifetime member of East Gate Masonic Lodge, Scottish and York Rite Bodies and Oasis Shrine. He had a soft spot in his heart for children and was an avid supporter of the Shriners Hospitals for Children and the Templar Eye Foundation.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Gantt was preceded in death by his step-mothers, Nell Ross Smith Gantt and Molly Green Gantt; his sisters, Reba Hawkins, Georgia Lister and Mildred Scoggin; and a step-grand daughter, Lisa Crisp.

Surviving to cherish the precious memories is his wife of 40 years - his soul mate and 'the love of his life', Doris Butler Cooke Gantt of the home; his dear sisters, Nell Miller, Margaret Dillard and Catherine Byars all of Greer, SC; step-children, Billie Crisp of Mint Hill, Bobbie Little of Cornelius, Larry Cooke (Barbara) of Charlotte, and Dianne Norton of the home; step-grandchildren, Lynde Howard (Stephen) of Huntersville, Stephanie Neeley of Summerville, SC, Lee Cooke (Amie) of Nashville, TN who are expecting their first child in August, and Allen Cooke (Stephanie) of Summerville, SC who are expecting their first child in March; step-great grandchildren, Jayson Howard, Anna Howard, Christian Neeley and Mattie Neeley; special family friend Tom Duggins and his pets 'George' and 'Tiger'. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who were very special to him.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 15, 2011 at McEwen Funeral Service Chapel, 5716 Monroe Rd., Charlotte, NC, with Rev. Perry Poole, his nephew, officiating. Interment will follow in Sharon Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Memorials honoring Mr. Gantt may be made to Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc., 1000 East State Parkway, Suite I, Schaumburg, IL 60173, Shriners Hospitals for Children or Presbyterian Hospice and Palliative Care.

Mr. Gantt's family would like to thank the caregivers at Bayada Nurses and Presbyterian Hospice and Palliative Care for their tender care and support during his illness and also those who have offered prayers, words of condolence and encouragement.