James Alton “Jim” Gantt, III
James Alton (Jim) Gantt III, 63, of Breckenridge, Texas, passed away at his residence surrounded by his family on Monday, May 1, 2023. His graveside service at the Breckenridge Cemetery will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 5, 2023, with JB Sparks officiating.
Jim was born on November 4, 1959, to Frances Wright and James Alton Gantt, Jr. He moved several times in his young life as his father was transferred with his company in the oil and gas industry. Jim attended Abilene High School and studied electrical trades.
Throughout his life, he worked various jobs that ranged from being a construction worker to an auto mechanic. He also worked at AIC as a machinist. Jim loved being outdoors, whether it was hunting, fishing, boating, or gardening. His gardens were a work of art, especially due to his creative ways of keeping the birds out of his tomatoes. Jim was also a collector of guns, knives, and coins.
He was a great cook and was known as a “grill-master” who enjoyed friends coming over for a backyard cookout with a game of darts. His specialty was barbecued chicken wings and ribs
Jim was always ready and willing to help or go the extra mile. He was a caregiver when his parents became frail in their later years, and he would always help a friend when in need. His constant companions were his furry buddies. His dogs and cats were not pets – they were family. He rescued one precious dog off the mile-long bridge, who quickly became a special scorpion-killing buddy.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Frances and James Alton Gantt, Jr., along with his grandparents. He is survived by his sister, Linda Gantt of Breckenridge; nieces, Delena Jones and husband Sam of Abilene, Texas, and Dia Peterson and husband Corey of Isleton, California; nephew, Dallas Garza and wife Carolyn of Breckenridge; great-nieces, Laura McMahan of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Naomi Garza of Breckenridge; great-nephew; Christian McMahan and wife Maddie of Clarksville, Tennessee; great-great-nieces, Skyler and Payton McMahan; great-great-nephew, Hudson McMahon of Clarksville; along with many treasured cousins and dear friends.
Jim’s family would like to give a very special thank-you to Solaris Hospice for their devoted care for him. Memorial donations in Jim’s name can be made to a charity or organization of the donor’s choice and can be left at Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home. Condolences can be made online at meltonkitchens.com.
