Name: Visitation for George Arlington Lee Gant
Start: 2020-06-22T16:00:00.000Z
End: 2020-06-22T18:00:00.000Z
Location: Eagle Ridge Church

George Arlington Lee Gant
George Arlington Lee Gant was born Dec. 5, 1941 in Wilson, N.C. to George William and Georgia Eugenia (Cooke) Gant and passed away June 17, 2020 at his home in Midland, surrounded in prayer by his family and friends. George lived a remarkable life with an abiding love to care for others, passion for science and discovery and a desire to open opportunities for everyone to fulfill their dreams regardless of any obstacle.
George grew up in Greensboro, N.C. where he attended Dudley High School, graduating after just turning 16. He attended North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, earning a bachelor and master's degree in chemistry. Like so many who journeyed from around the world and the U.S. to work in Midland, George moved from Greensboro in 1965 to join Dow Corning Corp as a chemist.
Midland opened her heart to George. He was among the first group of young African-American scientist and their families who moved to Midland for pioneering careers in science at Dow Corning and The Dow Chemical Co.
Spanning a career of 35 years at Dow Corning, he advanced well as he lived with multiple sclerosis. He moved quickly into corporate executive management after completing advanced graduate education in management at Central Michigan University and Harvard Business School. His technical expertise earned significant patents in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. These scientific discoveries transformed the strength and performance of silicone-based adhesives and sealants that enabled innovations in building and architectural design, road construction, and automotive applications.
George often said, "If you see me fighting the bear, help the bear." To him, MS and its challenges were the bear. He approached his fight with MS as a scientist; and shared everything he learned about MS generously. He served as chair of the Board of Directors for the MS Society where millions of dollars were raised for research and patient support.
Over the course of a life well lived, he was recognized for his many civic, professional and leadership roles; including chairman of the board of the Adhesive and Sealants Council. He also served in leadership roles in Kiwassee Kiwanis, American Chemical Society, American Management Association, Sigma Iota Epsilon, Sigma Xi honorary scientific society, International Mentoring Association, National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) and Midland Black Coalition. George was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.
George cherished the welcoming fellowship of the friends he made, and became a mentor to many young people regardless of their station in life. Along with his wife Jackie, and children, Jon and Jeannine while starting his career in research and development at Dow Corning, they established new family roots in Midland which exists today.
George is survived by his many friends and family. This includes George's care team, Jon Finney, Sarah Mitchell Harris, Kelly Lewis, Jolynn Sieggreen, Scott Gooch, Josh Arcuri, Erika Crampton, Renee Shocknesse, Rolando, George Lowry (deceased) and Phillip Martin (deceased); 50 Year Bridge Group, George Vogel, Gerry Cappo, Rudy Phillips, Tim Hueston, Bill Dennis, Carl Woods, Ted Skinner and Sandy Berger; family friends, Charles (Ted) and Sherry Skinner, Melvin and Octavia Cabey, Theresa and Murray Finney and many others; family, Gary (brother) and Glenda Gant, Gratia (sister) and Bobbe Wright, Sylvester and Claudette Thompson (cousin), Jackie Gant (former wife), Jeannine Gant (daughter), Jon (son) and Tracie Gant; grandchildren, Langston and Morgan Bowens, Zora Bowens, Symantha Gant, Aidan Gant, and Eleanor Bowens (great-granddaughter); nieces, Tulani Gant and Jenna and Molly Gant; many cousins, nieces and nephews.
George's funeral services are managed by Smith-Miner Funeral Home. Visitation service will be held Monday, June 22, 2020 at Eagle Ridge Church in Midland from 12-2 p.m. followed by a graveside burial service at Midland Memorial Gardens at 3 p.m. A memorial service will be held in 2021 due to COVID-19. The family would like to direct gifts to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Michigan Chapter and North Carolina A&T State University, Chemistry Department.
Smith-Miner Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Gant family; to share a special memory, visit www.smithminer.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Midland Daily News on Jun. 19, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for George Gant

10 Entries

Jim Cross

June 25, 2020

George was a friend and role model for so many at Dow Corning. While I never worked closely with him, I always looked to him as a source of wisdom and reason. He leaves behind a great legacy. I learned so much by watching how he worked with people.

So very sorry for your loss.

Jack Crosby

June 22, 2020

I was fortunate to work with George at Dow Corning. He was a friend who used his humor to bestowed some good advice I will always be grateful. My prayers to George's family.

Dixie Hahn Rouleau

June 22, 2020

Dear Jeannine,

Your father, George Gant, was the first black person I had the pleasure to meet. I must have been about 14 or 15. I have thought off and on about writing to your father and letting him know the powerful example and impression he made on me as a youth. In searching for him, I also found you on Facebook. I read your touching, important letter and hope its published in the Midland Daily News. You also mentioned your father was in the hospital. My family said prayers for him. I know now that his soul has ascended and new journeys await him. Im so sorry for your loss.

Your father, George Gant worked with my mother Phyllis Hahn, a lab technician, at Dow Corning in the late 60s. There were not many minorities hired at Dow Corning, and she remembers George as being super bright, but humble and kind. She felt comfortable with him and said you could talk to him about anything. His colleagues called him, Giant, because he was such a large person in physique and spirit. George and my mother shared a common interest in bridge. He was an excellent player and in addition to regular bridge played duplicate bridge. Mom sometimes substituted for your mother, Jackie in duplicate bridge, when your mother was busy taking care of the kids. I babysat for you and your brother, too--maybe once or twice. We left Midland the spring of 1971.

In the late sixties I attended a civil rights presentation at my familys church in Midland--Chapel Lane. The discussion was intended to build empathy and understanding, which it did--however I also experienced heated controversy on the subject of race for the first time. This began my awareness of the deep racial inequities that persist to this day.

As a youth, I began to understand that your father was not only a positive, likeable person, but someone courageous, who as a black person was able to build bridges across racial divides that challenged the status quo in Midland and across the nation.

I had thought Mr. Gant and his family were the first blacks to integrate Midland, but in checking with my mother, (now 90 and living in Littleton, Colorado), she thinks he was among the first--she remembers others as well. Nonetheless, as a youth, against the backdrop of the civil rights era, your father stood out as one of the bravest men I had ever known.

Mom, my brother and I appreciated learning about your fathers many accomplishments professionally and personally since that time. We send our deepest condolences to you, your brother and family. The Hahn family will always remember George Gant with warmth and affection.

Rose Burleson

June 22, 2020

We were next door neighbors on Wood St. Our young families were supportive & friendly. Everyone worked together to deal with a fire from a gas line break or shoveling snow from our court area. Children played together on our swing set- Jeannine, Jon-Jon, Randy, & Donna.
Jeannine, your letter to the editor was powerful. We believe change is coming in Midland as we learn to accept all people as equals & find we are more alike than different.
Please know that George was a wonderful, caring person who had a impact on our community. May God bless you & your family.
Dale & Rose Burleson

Arnettie Thompson

June 22, 2020

I will miss George very much. Gratia, Jon, Jeannie, and families thank you for allowing those who met George through Gratia the opportunity to share love and care for him as you do. You are in my heart and prayers always.

Inner Growth Ministry Out Reach

June 22, 2020

We are one heart beat and our hearts are with you at during this time.

Deborah Robinson

June 22, 2020

Love and Light to the family❣
Practitioner Deborah Robinson

Kitty Harrigan

Sent Flowers

Laura Finney

June 20, 2020

Dear Jon, Jeannie and families. So sorry to hear of George's passing. May his love shine through your smiles. I still make the smoked barbacue pork every summer, George taught me to make while working for him.

RICCI MOORE

June 19, 2020

Papa George, thank you so very much for sharing your home and your heart with me and Joey! It goes without saying how much we love you! Jeannine and Jon, I promise I'll wear both of my shoes!

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