James Flay Gantt, 98, passed peacefully in his sleep on Friday, May 11, 2012 at home.  A native of Cleveland County he was the son of the late Isaac Truman and Mageline Self Gantt.  Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Rilla Greene Gantt; 7 brothers, Bolton, John, Oscar, Loran, Summie, Fred, and Carl Gantt; 3 sisters, Ocie Grayson, Chasie Lanier, and Madge Wright.  Mr. Gantt served in the U.S. Army from 1943 – 1946 in the 787 Anti Aircraft Division in WWII.  He was a former member of the Lions Club with perfect attendance for 18 years.  He retired from J. P. Stevens after 33 years of service.  Flay was a lifelong member of Boiling Springs Baptist Church.  He enjoyed woodworking and gardening.

 Mr. Gantt is survived by his son, Ken Gantt and wife Carole of Shelby; sister-in-law, Irene C. Greene of Boiling Springs; granddaughter, Kelli Gantt Earl and husband Dwayne of Belwood; grandson, Jamie Gantt of Cedar Rapids, IA; great grandchildren, Taylor and Abigail Earl of Belwood, Blake, Nikki, Samantha, and Hunter Gantt; step grandchildren, Woody, Kathleen, Jessica, Rebecca, Allison of Columbia, SC, Randy wife Debbie, Makenzie and Baileigh Lovelace of Bonaire, GA; caregivers, Thelma Hawkins, Sarah Moore, Faye Gregory, Janice Huskey; and a longtime friend and caregiver, Ruth Canipe and his special four-legged friend Max.  The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Gelot for his kind and caring compassion.

 A celebration of life service will be held at 3:00pm on Monday, May 14, 2012 at Boiling Springs Baptist Church.  Dr. Carroll Page and the Rev. Keith Dixon will be officiating.  The family will receive friends from 2:00 – 3:00pm prior to the service in the Life Enrichment Center at the church.  Burial will follow at Cleveland Memorial Park with full military rites.

 Memorials may be made to Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150.

 Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Gantt.