Ronald Hillard Gantt was born on September 7, 1951 at L. Richardson Memorial Hospital in Greensboro, NC. He was the second son born to the late James Hillard Gantt and Inez Floyd Gantt. Ronald went to be with Jesus on April 14, 2022.

Ronald was educated in the Greensboro Public School system. He attended Washington Elementary School, Lincoln Jr. High School, and James B. Dudley Senior High School where he graduated with honors in 1969. Ronald continued his education by attending North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce (BSC) in May 1973. He earned his degree with a major in Accounting and a minor in Mathematics.

At the early age of 7 Ronald found Christ and was baptized at the United Institutional Baptist Church in Greensboro. At UIBC he was member of the youth choir, youth ushers, and the Boy Scouts.

Ronald began his professional career in the Information Technology (IT) field as a Computer Programmer Analyst for Duke Power Company in Charlotte, NC. He worked at Duke Power from June 1973 until March 1979. He then moved to Louisville, Kentucky and went to work for Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation. At B&W he worked as a Systems Analyst. He worked at B&W until September 1992. In September 1993 Ronald returned to North Carolina and went to work on a contractual basis for Metro Information System’s Greensboro office. He worked at the Food Lion headquarters in Salisbury, NC for 3.5 months. In April 1994 Ronald transferred to the Richmond, Virginia office of Metro. For the next 7 years he worked at the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). In May 2001 Ronald moved to Winston Salem. He went to work on a contractual basis for R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. That contract last for 7.5 months. Ronald remained in Winston Salem for the next year. He was a partial care giver for his mother who lived in Greensboro. On April 1, 2003 Ronald moved back to the family house in Greensboro. In October 2005 Ronald began a new career. He became a substitute teacher for the Guilford County School System. He subbed only on the high school level for the next 8.5 years until he retired in December 2013.

Upon his graduation from NCCU Ronald became involved with the NCCU National Alumni Association. He worked on the local, regional, and national levels. He served as local chapter treasurer and vice president while in Charlotte. He founded the Kentuckiana Chapter when he moved to Louisville. He was elected as Region II Vice President (the highest office on the regional level). Ronald was named National Alumnus of the Year in 1983 and 1986. In 1988 Ronald was elected as National Vice President where he served 2 two year terms. In 1992 he was elected National President where he served for one term. In 1998 he won the Mr. Alumni Award, representing the Richmond–Petersburg Chapter. He also served as chairperson of various committees. In 1984 Ronald was selected as a Black Achiever for the Chestnut Street branch of YMCA of Louisville. In 1986 he was selected as an Outstanding Young Man of America.

Ronald was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Jerome Floyd Gantt. He survived by his nephew Jerome Floyd Gantt II (Paquita) of Holly Springs, NC; great nieces Eva and Sasha Gantt of Holly Springs; cousins Phyllis Floyd Williams of Greensboro and George Caldwell of Atlanta, Georgia; and host of other relatives and friends.

Graveside Service Friday April 22, 2022 at 12 pm Forest Lawn Cemetery, 3910 Forest Lawn Dr. Greensboro, North Carolina.

Professional services are entrusted to Perry J. Brown Funeral Home.