Winton Earl Gantt Jr.

Winton Earl Gantt Jr. passed away on March 9, 2026, at his home, surrounded by love and comfort. Born on May 20, 1944, in Savannah to Winton Earl Gantt Sr. and Mary Wallace Gantt, Earl was a devoted father to his three children, Glenn Winton Gantt (Annette), James Brian Gantt, and Cheryl Gantt Bryant (Raymond). He is also survived by four grandchildren, Michael Duane Purvis Jr., Brittany Purvis Dellorco, Alex Walker (Ashley), and Alicia Ragoobar (Lloyd), and four great-grandchildren, Preston, Isabella, Ollen, and Hayden. His faithful grand dog Lucy was a cherished companion throughout his later years.

Though an only child, Earl’s childhood home was filled with cousins he held dear. Joan Earnhart was like a sister to him, and Pat Nelson remained a lifelong friend he loved as a brother. A man of deep faith, Earl was a lifelong Baptist who sang in the choir in his younger years. He graduated from Savannah High School, participated in ROTC, completed basic training, and later served in the 165th Air National Guard. For more than forty years, he worked as a dental technician and owned Gantt Dental Lab.

Earl embraced life with enthusiasm. In his youth, he found joy in drag racing, basketball, and softball, proudly bringing home many trophies. He later coached his son’s baseball teams and cherished time on the water, swimming and fishing—especially for shark. An avid firearms enthusiast, he also spent many contented hours in retirement at Thunderbolt Bait House, formerly Adam’s Bait House, where he helped his grandson Michael and welcomed friends for conversation while sitting on the porch in the sunshine he so loved.

To his family, Earl was a strong and brave man, their lifelong hero. His faith remained unshakable throughout his life and especially in his final days, serving as a steadfast Christian example to all who knew him. He will be deeply missed by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many friends.