Vincent Abbott Gantt

Vincent Abbott Gantt

Vincent Gantt, 73, of Roseville; passed away July 29th, 2015 in Roseville. He is survived by his loving wife Jenifer, his daughters: Krista Jean Gantt-Hopper of Roseville, and Rebecca Ann MacEgan (Kevin) of Modesto, sons: Christian Maurice Gantt of Roseville and Jason Sean Gantt of Loomis, stepson: Paul Babin of Los Angeles, eight grandchildren, and his sister, Lynn Yancsurak (Wes) of Stuart, Florida. Friends are invited to attend a memorial service for Vincent at Shepherd of the Sierra Presbyterian Church, 5400 Barton Road, Loomis, CA on Sunday August 23rd, 2015 at 1 pm.
Vincent Abbott Gantt was born September 15, 1941 in Burnsville, West Virginia. His family had resided in the area for nearly 300 years. His mother, Lois (nee Hyre), was living and working in Washington, D.C. while his father was in the service. On a trip home to see the family, Abby, as he is known to his mother's family, decided to arrive early, on his mother's birthday.
During his life, he traveled around the world, lived in many placed, and did many things. At age 7, he witnessed an atomic bomb detonation in New Mexico. At age 10, he was paralyzed by polio, spending nearly a year in an iron lung. At age 18 Uncle Sam classified him 4F due to polio. In the Government's infinite wisdom, he was reclassified 1A, and promptly made eligible for the draft for the War in Vietnam. He enlisted in the Air Force instead. He spent nearly 14 years in the military (full time and reserve), where his duties included time as an Air Force airstrike controller, as well as an Army counter intelligence agent.
Vince was a 1961 graduate of South High School in Youngstown, Ohio. He was in ROTC and a member of the Pershing Rifles.
On January 2, 1965, Vince married Mary Norine Wilson. They were eventually blessed with 4 children: Christian Maurice, Krista Jean, Rebecca Ann, and Jason Sean. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1997. July 1, 1998 he married Jenifer Elizabeth Cassady and acquired a step-son Paul Raoul Babin.
Vince was an adoring big brother to Lynn Yancsurak (husband Wes). While he tried to stay in touch with his many cousins, his best friend was his cousin Gary Wyatt (wife Pat).
Vince spent 25 years as a manager for 4 different insurance companies. He changed careers at age 49 while his lawsuit (which he eventually won) against Sentry Insurance Company progressed through to the California State Supreme Court.
Vince held a BS in in Business Administration from Ohio State (Youngstown), an MS in Education from National University, and completed over 200 additional college units. He also graduated from Harbridge Executive School (Chicago).
Vince spent 20 years as a scoutmaster with Troop 28. He sponsored/chaperoned 10 trips of 30 students each to historic East Coast sites. He taught middle school students for 20+ years. He was a life member of Single Action Shooting Society (SASS), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and National Rifle Association (NRA). In 2009 he was approved for membership in Sons of the American Revolution (SAR).
Vince's children have blessed him with 8 grandchildren. Krista has boys: Aaron Mathews Hopper, Liam Rook Hopper, and Jordan McCormick Hopper. Becky and Kevin have girls: Audrey Estelle MacEgan, Norah Marie MacEgan, Claire Maureen MacEgan, Sarah Miriam MacEgan, and Katherine Rose MacEgan.