Martin Benjamin (Ben) Gantt, jr.

1930-2015

Ben Gantt, age 84, passed away on July 23, 2015 in Houston, Texas.

Ben was born December 30, 1930 in Fort Worth, Texas. He was a graduate of Handley High School near Fort Worth and Rice University. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War from 1952-1955, after which he earned an MBA from Harvard University. His career began at Humble Oil & Refining Company in Baytown. Next, he worked in marketing at Exxon, including transfers to Charlotte, NC and Naperville, IL before joining the Treasury Department in Houston, where he retired after a 33-year career.

Ben helped coach various athletic teams, volunteered with PTA and booster clubs, served on the Memorial Hollow Civic Club and was elected to the Spring Branch ISD school board. He also served as a Harris County grand juror and election official. After retirement, he devoted time to genealogy, co-writing books on the Gantt family.

Ben joined Boy Scouts at age 11 and became his troop’s first Eagle Scout. He remained an active member of scouting for over 70 years, receiving the Wood Badge and the Silver Beaver Award.

Ben is survived by his wife of 56 years, Frances Cockrell Gantt; daughters, Kim- berly Fletcher and husband Keith, Cheryl Waughtal and husband Scott; son, David Gantt and wife Erica Yaeger; grandchildren, Jennifer and Emily Gueldner, Amy Lyle and husband Cory, Conner and Walker Waughtal, Catherine and Will Gantt.

The family invites you to a memorial service on Thursday, August 13, 2015 at 3:00 pm in the Chapel at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 11612 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77024, with a reception to follow in the Parlor.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be directed to the Boy Scouts of America:

The Memorial Tribute Fund

Sam Houston Area Council P.O. Box 924528 Houston, Texas 77292