Dr. Charles Bernard "Bernie" Gantt

Dr. Charles Bernard (“Bernie”) Gantt, Jr. passed away in Sanford, North Carolina on February 6, 2025, at the age of 84, a devoted Christian, husband, father, combat veteran, Sigma Chi, Alabama grad, physician, Rotarian, Gideon, and member of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. 

Bernie was born in Birmingham, Alabama on August 25, 1940, the son of Charles Bernard Gantt, Sr. and Annie Mae Montgomery Martin, and the older brother of Stephen Gantt. Bernie grew up in Birmingham and graduated from Shades Valley High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alabama where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, and where he developed a lifelong devotion to Alabama Football (“Roll Tide!”). He attended medical school at the University of Alabama before completing his residency at Grady Hospital in Atlanta. 

Bernie proudly served with a U.S. Marine infantry unit in Vietnam. As a Naval Surgeon in combat zones that saw heavy conflict, Bernie earned a Bronze Star, with a “Combat V” designation for valor. Recognizing his heroic service under fire, Lt. General William K. Jones, commanding General of the U.S. Marine Corps Fleet Marine Force in the Pacific confirmed that “he fearlessly traveled through enemy-controlled territory subjected to mines and sniper fire to treat wounded and ill men, constantly concerned with the health and welfare of the Marines under his care to his own peril.” While on “R and R” from Vietnam in Sydney, Australia, Bernie met the love of his life, Carol Woodley. To his final day on Earth, Bernie would tell anyone who would listen that Carol was the best thing that ever happened to him.  

Bernie and Carol married and moved to Birmingham, where their first two children, Richard and Christopher (“Chris”) were born. In 1975, the family settled in Sanford, North Carolina, where Bernie entered practice as a radiologist. Soon after, their daughter Margaret was born. For the next 25 years, Bernie devoted himself to his family and his profession. Outside of work and family, he was an active member of the Sanford business community, serving as President of the Sanford Chamber of Commerce and the Sanford Rotary Club. He was a faithful parishioner, Deacon, and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church of Sanford. He was an avid collector of hot sauces, history books, and firearms, and enjoyed live musical performances. He had a sharp wit and a lively personality. A passionate hunter and outdoorsman, Bernie enjoyed farming on several tracts of land in Lee County, and hunting deer at the D.C. Blue and F.L. Knight Hunt Clubs. 

Bernie was dedicated to many charitable pursuits. He particularly enjoyed delivering free Bibles as a member of the Gideons, and for many years he volunteered as team doctor for the Lee County High School football team, caring for injured players on both sides of the ball. Bernie additionally took great pride in regularly serving as “Doctor of the day” at the North Carolina legislature in Raleigh where he enthusiastically developed warm relationships with lawmakers from both parties. Bernie’s big heart did not go unnoticed. In 1992, he was awarded North Carolina’s highest civilian honor when he was inducted into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Jim Martin. 

In 1999, Bernie retired from private practice. Still, he had a heart to serve. At 60, he took a position as a staff radiologist at Womack Army Hospital at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, where he remained until retiring at age 80 in 2020. During this time, Bernie travelled to Australia and New Zealand for several extended periods, providing medical care to underserved communities. In 2013, Bernie was diagnosed with cancer. He fought the cancer and beat it for many years until it recurred in the Fall of 2024.

Until the day he died, Bernie always welcomed strangers at his door and was much more concerned about sharing any gift than he was in enjoying it for himself. To those closest to him, Dr. Charles Bernard Gantt, Jr. was admired and appreciated for his faith, loyalty, strength, courage, compassion, tenacity, and love. He was a one-of-a-kind personality who cannot be replaced and will be deeply, deeply missed. He is now at peace with his Maker and enjoying his heavenly reward. 

Bernie is survived by his wife Carol of Sanford; his brother Steve Gantt of Olmsted Falls, Ohio; his son Richard Gantt of Raleigh, his wife Sanan Smith, and their sons, Jackson Gantt, Graeme Gantt, Dayton Smith, Lachlan Gantt, and Tyler Gantt; his son Chris Gantt, his wife Meredith, and their children Annalise Ellard, Jai Ellard, and Isabella Ellard; and his daughter Margaret “Maggie” Gerardi, her husband Paul Gerardi, and their sons Will Gerardi and Wade Gerardi.  

In lieu of flowers, Bernie’s family requests that you honor his memory by making a donation to First Baptist Church of Sanford, the American Cancer Society, Gideons International, or Rotary International’s “Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust.” Funeral events in Bernie’s honor will be held at First Baptist Church of Sanford on Saturday February 22, 2025. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. in the fellowship hall and the service itself will start at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. Bernie and Carol’s beloved family members are now dispersed around the globe. Consequently, the family plans to host a celebration of Bernie’s life later this year to give an opportunity to remember him to those unable to attend the funeral on short notice. Details on the celebration will be released with as much advance notice as possible.