L. J. Gann

L. J. Gann MONROE - Mr. L. J. Gann, 98, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 12, 2013, at the Presbyterian Hospital in Matthews, NC. He was born in Rockingham County, NC, on April 2, 1915, son of the late Jason and Annie Highfill Gann. Mr. Gann was a graduate of Appalachian State Teachers College and held a master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He served in World War II as an air traffic controller in the Army Air Force. Professionally, he became a public school teacher in 1936. He moved to Union County in 1939, and over the years, he served as a teacher and principal of Fairview School, and he served as the first principal of Piedmont High School from 1960 to 1970. He then moved to the central administration of the Union County public school system where he focused on the curriculum and personnel. He retired in 1979, having spent 38 years in public education, with 30 of these in Union County. In retirement, he focused his attention on his church, his vegetable and flower gardens, particularly his roses, and woodworking, and travel with his wife and daughter. The family will receive friends Tuesday, May 14, 2013, from 1:00 PM until 2:00 at Hopewell Baptist Church, with the funeral service to follow at 2:00 PM. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Mr. Gann was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Brooks Gann. He is survived by his daughter, Pamela Gann, of Claremont and Santa Barbara, California, half-brothers, George Hawkins of Blacksburg, VA, Byron Hawkins of Durham and Francis Hawkins of Rockingham, and half-sister, Jean Stutts of Norman, NC. Memorials may be made to Hopewell Baptist Church building fund, 420 Hopewell Church Rd., Monroe, NC 28110. Gordon Funeral Service, 1904 Lancaster Ave., Monroe, NC 28112 is caring for the Gann family. Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com