J. C. Gantt

J. C. Gantt, 87, of NC 181, Morganton, NC died Thursday, April 22, 2010 at Grace Hospital. Born in Gaston County, NC on December 18, 1922, he was the son of the late Clarence Gantt and Rosie Mitchem Gantt. J.C. was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church. He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of WWII, having served 18 months in the Italian Theatre. On April 9, 1944, J.C. was married in Our Redeemer Church in Herington, KS to his wife of 66 years, Lola Chalker Gantt.In addition to his wife, J.C. is survived by his children, Gerrald Gantt of Fairfax, VA, Charles Gantt and fiancée, Vickie Salveson, of Morganton, Jeffory Gantt and wife, Mary, of Morganton, Kathryn Leonhardt and husband, Derr, of Raleigh, NC, Kathleen Curtis and husband, Dionne, of Morganton, and Kevin Gantt and wife, Nora, of Morganton; grandchildren, Amy VanHook and husband, John, Chuck Gantt and wife, Tona, Tracey Bolick and husband, David, Lisa Doherty and husband, Frank, Kimberly Garrison and husband, Keith, Allen Curtis and wife, Dara, and Sandra Burnette; step-grandchildren, Adam Powell, and Kristopher Huffman and wife, Tracy; twelve great-grandchildren; and sisters, Jessie Whitener of Morganton and Pauline Braswell of Morristown, TN. He will also be greatly missed by his canine companion, Brown-Eyes.In addition to his parents, J.C. was preceded in death by a brother, Summie Gantt, and a sister, Elsie Cook.The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, April 26, 2010 at Calvary Lutheran Church with Rev. Michael Riley officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park with military honors provided by Valdese American Legion Post #234. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. Sunday at Sossoman Funeral Home. At other times the family will be at the residence on 181. Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church, 119 N. King Street, Morganton, NC 28655.