Joe Forrest Gantt

Mr. Joe Forrest Gantt, 84, of Statesville, went to be with the Lord, Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at the Gordon Hospice House. Mr. Gantt was born July 31, 1932 in Iredell County and was the son of the late Albert and Claudia Forrest Gantt. He was a graduate of Harmony High School, where he was the captain of the football team during the 1951-1952 season. After high school, Joe enlisted in the US Air Force for 21 years serving in both the Korean War and Vietnam War. On March 16, 1957, he married Betty Qualls Gantt of Livingston, TN and they made their home on Porter Farm Rd. in Statesville, NC. After his career in the US Air Force, he worked as a carpet installer for Carpet Distributors for many years. He worked with his cows and later loved working with his son, Stan Gantt of Gantt Floor Covering. In 2010, he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma which he contracted in Vietnam while fueling the airplanes carrying Agent Orange. In addition to his wife of 59 years, Joe is survived by four children, James F. Gantt (Brenda) of Rincon, GA, Gena G. McLeod (Lewis) of Ashland, VA, Stanley Joe Gantt of Mocksville, Jan G. Mayes (Steven) of Statesville; seven grandchildren, Jason Gantt (Sarah), Bradley Gantt (Olivia), Katie Kowalkiewicz (Andy), Joseph Gantt, Robert Joseph Gantt (Diana), Taylor E. Gantt, Georgeanna L. Keller; five great grandchildren, Nora Gantt, Hazel Gantt, Everette Gantt, Logan and Owen Kowalkiewicz and three siblings, Geraldine G. Holland of Fairfax, VA, June G. Parker (Frank) of Galatin, TN, Martha G. Ashley of Centreville, VA and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 3:00 p.m. Saturday, October 15, 2016 at Cool Spring United Methodist Church with Rev. Tom Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery with full military honors. The family will visit with friends on Saturday in the church fellowship hall from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Joe Gantt had a special place in his heart for children so in lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to: Cool Spring United Methodist Church, c/o Parents Night Out Program, 1902 Mocksville Hwy., Cleveland, NC 27013 and online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com The family would like to give a special thanks to the employees who cared for Joe during his last days at the Gordon Hospice House and Palliative Care of Iredell County. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Joe Gantt.