Donald Pinkney Gantt

Donald Pinkney Gantt passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, after an extended illness, days short of his 84th birthday. And to his final day, he was surrounded by family and loved ones, who gathered at his home for Christmas even without him when there wasn't enough room at the hospital for them all.

That was typical of a man who welcomed and collected people around him like the fine items he found at the flea market — prolifically and continuously, even when it seemed like there were already plenty and you might not know where to put them all. There was always room for more.

Born in 1939 to the late Floyd Gantt and Willie Hedrick Gantt, he was a lifelong resident of Catawba County and member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, where he met his Sunday School sweetheart and faithful wife of 63 years, Sandra Hefner Gantt. The two were inseparable over those years, with his devotion and respect for her matched only by her tireless and meticulous care for him. Their family never had to wonder what it meant to love because they saw what it looked like and how it worked every day.

Don was a decorated volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America for most of his life, as a charter leader of Troop 341 at St. Peter's, serving two terms as Scoutmaster. He was honored with many of Scouting's highest honors, including the Silver Beaver, the Lamb Award for promoting Scouting's religious programs, and the Lakeland District Scoutmaster of the Year. He was also a Vigil Honor member in the Order of the Arrow, which is also known as the "brotherhood of cheerful service." Those words were central to the life he lived.

Whether it was serving as a member of the Laymen's League at his home church, Scouting, or the many youth-related activities at St. Peter's, he freely gave of his time throughout his life, putting the needs of others first.And he always did it with a smile on his face, a quick wit, and an innate sense of humor based on putting everyone at ease rather than excluding anyone.

That was especially true when it came to his family, as laughter flowed at every gathering to the very end. But he'd also eagerly put himself between any of them and trouble, and as easily as he'd laugh, he'd stand on principle. He built a home for his family with his own two hands after his workday was done and provided for his family's needs and the needs of others generously.

Did we mention he once landed a plane on top of a hardware store?

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Floyd Jr. and Harold Lee, his sister-in-law Judy, and brother-in-law Jim Davis.

He's survived by his wife Sandra, whom he married on Sept. 11, 1960, and stayed by her side and honored her to the final day of those 63 blessed years together because he knew what she meant to him, the family, and the community that surrounds them now offering the support they provided to so many.

He's also survived by his three sons and their wives: Mark and Diane Gantt of Conover, N.C., Kevin and Susan Gantt of Hickory, N.C., and Darin Gantt and Katie Fine of Charlotte, N.C.

And fitting with his commitment to collecting former strangers and quickly making them family as he displayed throughout his years, he's also survived by a vast and ever-expanding network of 12 grandchildren. That group includes Jackson Gantt and Madeleine Weider of Portland, Ore.; Carson Gantt, whose mail comes to Conover, N.C. while she's on world tour; Layton and Anna Gantt of Creedmoor, N.C.; Lauren Gantt of Raleigh, N.C.; Elliott Gantt of Hickory, N.C.; Anna Gantt of Charlotte, N.C.; Sam Gantt of Charlotte, N.C.; David Fine of Raleigh, N.C.; Allison Fine of Amsterdam, The Netherlands; and Samantha Fine of Charlotte, N.C. Don't get them started on his great-grandson Henry Gantt of Creedmoor, N.C., unless you have plenty of time.

He's also survived by his sister-in-law Jeanette Gantt of Conover, N.C.; sister Jean Davis of Conover, N.C.; sister Ruth Hefner and her husband Larry of Claremont, N.C.; brother-in-law Randy Hefner of Hickory, N.C., and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Scout Troop 341 or any of his beloved youth programs at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 6175 St. Peter's Church Rd. Conover, NC 28613

The funeral will be held at St. Peter's Lutheran on Saturday, Dec. 30, at 2 p.m., and the family will begin receiving friends at 12:30 p.m. prior to the service.

Drum Funeral Home of Conover, N.C., is serving the family.

Condolences may be sent to the Gantt family at www.drumfh-conover.com