Dale Charles Gantz

Dale Charles Gantz was born 10-2-1943 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Donna (Kersey) Kercher and Dale Charles Kercher. His father was a test pilot who tragically lost his life in a WW II flight accident when Charlie was 6 months old. Charlie was raised by his stepfather Bryant Steven Gantz. Both his mother and stepfather preceded him in death.

As a teenager Charlie was active in The First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood, Indiana Youth Group and has enduring friendships from then. He graduated from Greenwood High School, Greenwood, Indiana in 1960. He graduated from Indiana University where he was a teaching assistant and a proud member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

He graduated from Indiana University School of Law in 1971. He served as Bailiff for the Indiana Supreme Court, research assistant for the Judicial Study Commission and the Civil Code Study Commission and as law clerk to Judge Patrick Sullivan of the Indiana Court of Appeals .

After graduation he was a Marion County Indiana deputy prosecutor from 1971-1972. He served as the elected prosecutor of Johnson County Indiana from 1974-1982. After exiting his political role he spent the remainder of his 39 year legal career as a trial attorney. He also represented minor league baseball players in contract negotiations as well as Byrd IndyCar Racing.

He was an active Commercial Realtor and co-founder of Gantz Super Team, Keller Williams, Oviedo, Florida. He was a member of NAR and ORRA. He was also a designated Senior Real Estate Specialist.

He was a fan of most sports, especially his beloved IU Men's Basketball and Tampa Bay Rays. Some of his fondest memories were of taking his son and grandchildren to the ball park or stadium.

He was a long time radio host on WICR Indianapolis of a live call-in talk show offering pro bono legal advice as well as co-hosting several other taped programs. Charlie enjoyed volunteering for various community organizations and events including St Petersburg IndyCar race, Winter Springs Arts Festival, St Anthony's Triathalon, Gasparilla Arts Festival.

He loved the Arts and was a supporter of St Petersburg Opera as well as various Arts organizations in Indiana and Florida. He was on the Board of First Night St Petersburg a family friendly celebration of the Arts every New Year's Eve. He was a volunteer for Heartland Film Festival screening short films.

He believed strongly in lifelong learning. In 2003, he graduated from the University of Illinois Champagne/Urbana with a Masters of Business Administration , International Business concentration. He was a member of University of Central Florida LIFE. He regularly attended lectures focusing on world issues and new technologies.

He married Lisa Walston in 2011 in Winter Park, Fl and she survives. A daughter, Jennifer Gantz preceded him in death. He is also survived by his son Jeffrey (Diana) Gantz, Indianapolis IN, daughter Erica (Brian) Kmak, Orlando, FL, step-son Travis (Sarah) Powell, Greenwood, IN and Courtney (Bernie) Dufrene, Landisville, PA. His brother Steve(Joann) Gantz of Greenwood ,IN and 9 grandchildren also survive.

Honoring his compassion for ill children, memorials may be made to St Jude's Hospital for Children or St Petersburg Opera to reflect his love of classical music .