Donald Dean Gauntt was born on October 25, 1940 in Hubbard, Texas to Dean and Claudie Gauntt. He spent his childhood around Penelope, Teague and Mexia then moved to Pasadena in his teenage years. He graduated from Pasadena High School in 1958 and attended Sam Houston University, but the love of his life, Darlene, was the deciding factor to come home. They married on July 29, 1961.

Don was proud to own and manage Gauntt's Transmission and a gas station while starting and taking care of family and others, playing Adult city softball, and hunting. His integrity and customer service earned the respect of his customers for several decades. Don was an avid golfer and made special friendships on the links. He was also an artist with his stained-glass pieces. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family, telling stories, and working Sudoku while playing with his dog Oliver. Don was an active member and deacon at First Baptist Church Pasadena.

Don and Darlene had two children, Michaelle and Jeff, whom they adored. Don and Darlene were married over fifty years before her death in January 2020. He was a very giving and devoted man to his family and took excellent care of Darlene for five years during her battle with ALS.

Another love of his life were his two granddaughters, Caroline and Catherine. He attended every dance recital, competition, performance, and sport they had. He taught Catherine the love of golf and enjoyed helping her on the green and on the range. His last little bundle of joy arrived six months ago and boy was he proud that he finally got a grandson, Tex Avery Gauntt.

Don peacefully passed away in his sleep after a brief battle with cancer on March 25, 2022 at the age of 81 years old.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Dean and Claudie Mae Gauntt, his grandmother Annie Mae Carter, his in-loves Marjorie and Glenn Hornsby, his brother in-loves Travis Clifton and Kenneth Hodges and his love Darlene. Don is survived by his children, daughter and son in-love Michaelle and Dr. Chuck Campbell, granddaughters, Caroline and Catherine Campbell, son and daughter in-love Jeff and Jessica Gauntt and grandson Tex Avery Gauntt, sister in-loves Marilyn Clifton and Carolyn Hodges, along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and extremely close friends.

His celebration of life will be held at First Baptist Church Pasadena Chapel, Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 2:00pm with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Grand View Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, Texas 77030.