David Kent Gantz

David Kent Gantz, Canton, GA, beloved son, brother, husband, “grand pa”, and friend, died peacefully, August 31st. He is survived by his wife, the Reverend Robin Sumner Gantz, and by the families of their three children: daughter, Mary Epperson and husband Mark and their sons – Matthew and Monte; son, Kevin Gantz and wife Cindy Gantz, and their children – Allison, Sumner and Emerson; son Matthew Gantz, and his daughters, Madison and Brooklyn. He is also survived by his brother, Dale Gantz and wife Joe Ann and his sister, Dorothea Dougherty and husband Jim, and his brother-in-law, Don Moen, all of Las Cruces, New Mexico, sister-in-law Judith Kerr of Amarillo, and brother-in-law Jim Sumner and wife Susie of Sonoita, AZ., and multiple nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Moen, of Las Cruces. David was born May 30, 1937 to Luevilla and Herman Gantz in Pampa, Texas. He was a 1956 Pampa High School graduate, and received a B.S. at West Texas State University in 1960. He married Robin Brook Sumner on May 2, 1959, and they recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. David retired from Cabot Corporation, having worked in various capacities, including being Director of Labor Relations, Director of Personnel (North American Carbon Black Division) and Corporate Employee Benefits Director. A strong believer in public service, David served on many community board of directors, including the Pampa Regional Medical Center and Genesis House in Pampa, Texas. He was United Way Campaign chairman multiple times. He was elected elder and chairman of the board for the First Christian Church, Pampa, and later elder/stated clerk for the First Presbyterian Church, Pampa. David was, among others, instrumental in the design and construction of “The Pampa Harvester” statue at Pampa High School. A strong advocate of scouting, David became president of the Adobe Walls Council, BSA ( Texas) in the 70’s, and later served on the Executive Board of the Golden Spread Council. He received the Order of the Arrow Distinguished Service Award in 2001 due to his involvement in restoration of Camp M.K. Brown, Miami, TX. In 2003, he was awarded the highest volunteer award in scouting- the Silver Beaver Award- for his distinguished service to scouting. At West Texas State University, Canyon, TX, David became the chartering and first #1 (president) of Kappa Alpha Order fraternal brotherhood. He has been president of several KA Alumni groups since. A memorial service was held September 6th in Jasper, GA. A second memorial service is scheduled for 3:00 PM Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, at the First Christian Church in Pampa with John Curry and the Rev. Dr. Jeff Knighton, officiating. Arrangements are by Sosebee Funeral Home of Canton, Georgia. The family requests that any memorial gifts be made to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation, 1577 NE Expressway, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 30329 or online at: www.choa.org; the Boy Scouts of America, Golden Spread Council, 401 Tascosa Road, Amarillo, TX 79124 or online at: www.goldenspread.org; the First Christian Church, 1633 N. Nelson, Pampa, TX 79065 or First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Gray, Pampa, TX 79065.