William Harold Gant, Sr., 83, of Kountze, passed away Thursday, August 4, 2016, in Tyler county as he looked for a friend from his childhood. Alzheimer’s was intruding his life for the past five years, he was diagnosed in 2013. Harold was born on August 12, 1932, in Warren, to Rhoda Pearle Moye Gant and William Percy Gant. He was raised by his grandparents, whom he loved dearly, Mattie and Marcus Gant.
While in high school, he worked at the Saw Mill in Warren and played football on the first eleven man team for the Warren Warriors. Harold graduated from Warren High School in 1951 and still enjoyed attending the annual reunions. Harold proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War on the USS Iowa. He later attended Lamar University while working at Texaco, where he retired after thirty-seven years of service.
Harold was a member of the Big Thicket Baptist Church. One of the pastors called him “his yard boy”. He fenced the property, built a sign, and kept the lawn beautiful.
Harold was a Master Mason for fifty-six years and was a member of Nederland Masonic Lodge #1368 and a Past Master of Silsbee Masonic Lodge #927. He was a recipient of The Golden Trowel, fifty year service pin, and served as a District Deputy for The Grand Lodge of Texas. Harold was also a member of The Scottish Rite, The Knights Templer, and a Past Patron of Silsbee Chapter #298, Order of the Eastern. He was active in these fraternities and enjoyed the fellowship, doing whatever was necessary as the occasion arose. He enjoyed teaching candidates the Esoteric work of the Masonic Fraternity.
He enjoyed rodeos and attended the National Finals Rodeo for the last twenty-eight years, where he met several friends which have all kept in touch. Harold loved to talk about the USS Iowa, he recently called a Navy Recruiter to see if he needed to serve his country again.
His best friend was Bo. Harold left Saturday, July 30, 2016, to take Bo for a ride. When they were found, Bo was lying safely and hungry, next to the truck. Bo must have been a comfort to Harold during the six days they were missing. The two of them were tight; Bo is truly man’s best friend.
The family wishes to thank Hardin, Tyler, and Jefferson County Deputies, all search team volunteers, air services, and private helicopter, for all their help in locating Harold. Hardin County Deputies were constant and all indicated the search would not end until Harold was found. The efforts made were endless. Thank God for our dedicated law enforcements and all the people who give their time for humanity. God Bless You all!
Survivors include his wife of forty-three years, Barbara Dillenback Gant; children, William Gant, Kathy Gant McElveen, Karen Gant Gill, Daryl Nunez, and Gina Nunez McNairy; nine grandchildren; and sister, Virginia Gant Flowers. He is preceded in death by his parents; and daughter, Hollie Gant Anderson.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Harold’s memory to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 6977 Main Street, Houston 77030.
A gathering of Harold’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, August 11, 2016, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee. His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 12, 2016, with his interment to follow at Fellowship Cemetery, Warren.
