George Thomas Gant

Coos County lost a walking encyclopedia of local history with the recent passing of George Thomas Gant.  He passed away March 31st at home with his children by his side.  He was very aware of and appreciative of the loving sentiments shared in his final days by so many extended family and friends, and he loved you all.  He had 97 years of very full living, held intact by his belief in God through his upbringing in the Episcopal Church.  

George was born and raised in Coquille, the only child of Orvin and Garnet Gant.  Born in 1928 at the start of the depression, he was motivated throughout his life to give of himself in service  At a young age he was seen around town along his newspaper route then in his older youth stocking shelves and making deliveries for Gant’s Grocery, working for the local morgue and even reclaiming tires during a nationwide rubber shortage.  He served in the Army from 1948-1949 as a radio operator and was called back to serve in the Korean War from 1950-1951.  He completed his undergraduate studies at Linfield College in 1954, followed by graduation from Willamette College of Law in 1956.  He then began his law practice in Coos Bay.

George was sharp-witted and kind, while at the same time irascible; qualities that made him a great lawyer.  During his career he was the City of Coos Bay Municipal Judge for 10 years until 1969, and was the attorney for the Port of Coos Bay from 1962-1989.  Upon retirement from law in 1991, he ran the Gan-Cran family cranberry farm in Bandon for seven years.  Following that he occupied his time as a realtor in Coos Bay and as a starter at Bandon Dunes.

George enjoyed the bounties of the Oregon lands, whether fishing, hunting, or picking huckleberries.  He especially cherished fly fishing on the Rogue River, taking annual fishing trips for 30 years – building 30 years of friendships – with his fishing buddies.  In recent years, equally meaningful friendships were built in his weekly poker games.  

An avid golfer, George served 22 years on the Executive Committee of the Oregon Golf Association providing 20 years gratis legal counsel during the formation of the OGA Member’s Club.  He was a pilot, and flying was his preferred mode of travel to play many tournaments around the PNW.  His flight log shows an accumulation of 2700 hours of flight-time which speaks to his love of flying and provides a hint as to the number of tournaments he played.

During retirement, George volunteered on the Coos County Planning Commission from 1994 to 2012.  This would become one of his most life-fulfilling roles as he was able to welcome the development of Bandon Dunes. 

George was recently honored by the Masons (Myrtle Lodge #78) as a 75-year Mason.  He was also a member of the Coquille Elks Club and the US Golf Association.

George cared deeply for people who held meaning in his life.  In the many entertaining stories he told, people from throughout his life’s 97-year history were readily remembered by name.  

George is survived by his children Corrie Gant (Paul Fisher) of Bandon, Melanie Elnes (Eric) of Eugene, and Calvin Gant (Chris) of Arlington, WA.  He is also survived by 7 grandchildren: Will Counts (Jessica), Brendan Fisher, Emma Fisher, Tom Fisher, Arianna Elnes (Graham), Maren Kaufmann (Will), John Gant, and one great-granddaughter Juniper Fisher.

George was married to Virginia Corrie from 1952-1970.  He later shared marriages with Pat Eckland and Pat Schaefer, and a special friendship with Dena Sperling, all of whom preceded him in death.

The family suggests Memorial contributions to the Rogue River Watershed Council, 89 Alder Street, Central Point, OR  97502 (rogueriverwc.org), the Oregon Freemasons Myrtle Lodge #78, 529 Maple St, Myrtle Point, OR 97458, or the Coquille Valley Elks Lodge #1935, PO Box 428, Coquille, OR 97423.

We hope you will join us for a reception in his honor on Monday,  May 18th from 2pm-5pm at Black Market Gourmet, 495 Central Ave, Coos Bay, OR. 97420.

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