Wilson Little Funeral Home
Purcell-Newcastle, McClain Co., OK
(permission granted)

Leonard Jones Gantz age 75, of Wayne, Oklahoma passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 in Purcell, OK. He was born March 17, 1940 in Columbus, Ohio. He was an only child born to William B. Gantz and Margaret Blodwen (Jones) Gantz. Leonard grew up on a dairy farm in Grove City, Ohio. He graduated from Grove City High School in 1958 and while in school he was active in the FFA serving on the state milk judging team. Two years after he graduated he married a high school classmate by the name of Phyllis Jane Nicholl. They were married on February 14, 1960 in Grove City. Together they raised three children and operated a dairy farm near Orient, Ohio. Because of their love for horses, Leonard and his family moved to Wayne, Oklahoma in 1979 to be close to horse country. While living in Wayne he enjoyed raising cattle, hogs and race horses. To help supplement the ranching, Leonard worked for the Purcell Farm Store for several years before he and Phyllis started driving a truck. As a team they drove for Shaw Trucking in the mid 1990’s and they really enjoyed traveling across the United States seeing the country. One of his last jobs was working as a security officer at Mid America Vo-tech in Wayne. Throughout his life, Leonard enjoyed supporting his children and grandchildren in their school activities such as 4H, FFA and in their various sporting events. After he retired he enjoyed going to the Wayne Senior Citizens Center and hanging out at Wal-Mart in Purcell. He also enjoyed reading western books and watching

He was preceded in death by: Parents, William and Blodwen Gantz; Wife, Phyllis Gantz in 2002.

He is survived by: Three children, Brian Gantz and wife Debbie of Purcell, Cindy Reed and husband Dave of Wayne, Carla Welch and husband Junior of Wayne; Nine grandchildren, John Bebout and wife Ellen of Moore, Ben Reed and wife Casey of Tulsa, Heather Graham and husband Jason of Norman, Erica Keen and husband Josh of Lindsay, Blake Welch and wife Carissa of Ada, Kristin Welch of Wayne, Garrett Reed of Wayne, Ryan Welch of Wayne, Connor Gantz of Purcell. Five great-grandchildren, Clare, Maverick, Jagger, Cecilia and Rainey.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00p.m., Friday, September 18, 2015 at Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel in Purcell, Oklahoma. Burial will follow at Rosedale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Rosedale Cemetery fund; 39422 140th St. Byars, OK. 74831.