Nov. 14, 1933 – Nov. 6, 2018

Daryal Tillman Gant passed away peacefully at home on Nov. 6 surrounded by his loving family. Daryal was born Nov. 14, 1933 to Maggie Pearl and Fount Tillman Gant in the country town of Blair, Oklahoma. He graduated from Dinuba High School in Dinuba, California, and received his bachelor’s degree in business administration as well as his MBA from UCLA. Daryal then entered the Army and was stationed at Fort Lee in Petersburg, Virginia where he met his beloved wife, Mary West. He swept her off her feet; they wed three months later and remained married for 62 years.

In 1963, the Gants moved with their infant daughter, Brenda Louise, to La Crescenta where their second daughter, Tracey, was born three years later. Their house has served as a gathering place for Mary and Daryal’s family for 55 years. Their family grew to include grandchildren Summer Gant; Asiya, Omar, and Mustapha Khawaja; and Alexander and Zachary Gant Van Vliet, as well as sons-in-law Jeffery Hughes and Bryan Van Vliet.

Daryal joined Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1962 as a senior contract negotiator after other positions with Southern California aerospace and technical firms, and he remained there until he retired in 1999 as the executive director of Business Affairs. Daryal received numerous awards for his outstanding work from both JPL and NASA.

After his retirement, he and Mary traveled extensively and became active community volunteers, giving back to their community in many capacities. Daryal was especially involved in the Kiwanis Club of La Cañada, the La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses, and the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce & Community Association. He cherished the friendships that he made through these organizations as well as his neighborhood and lifelong friends. He truly loved his family and community.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Daryal’s name to the Kiwanis Club of La Cañada, P.O. Box 33, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91012.