Ken Gantzer

Kenneth Robert Gantzer was born in Columbus, Ohio on October 19, 1962 to Jerry and Leslie Gantzer. He was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ken graduated from Greenhills High School in 1980. Upon graduation, he moved with his family to Dallas, Texas. After taking a couple of years off from school, he attended the University of North Texas. It was during this time in 1986 that he met his wife Sydney while they both waited tables at TGIFridays in Plano. Ken graduated from UNT in December of 1989 with a degree in Journalism and Advertising. He and Sydney were married on September 19, 1992. Ken was a sales professional in several industries. His colleagues remember him as a man that was "a master at building relationships". He was "super loyal" and "the guy you could always count on". He was "soft spoken and friendly, always looking out for the welfare of the company".

In 1994 Ken and Sydney welcomed their first daughter, Reid. She was followed quickly by two more Texas Beauties; Brenna in 1996 and Claire in 1997. Ken enjoyed spending time with his family. They were all very involved in soccer and Ken was always on the sideline cheering them on. Ken loved fishing, playing co-ed soccer, working out and his most recent passion of mountain biking. He might have come home bleeding, bruised and limping but he loved every minute of every ride. He was a loving father, husband and friend. Ken was diagnosed in December of 2014 with Stage 4 Esophageal//Stomach cancer. He fought hard every day and was an inspiration to those around him. He is survived by his wife of 22 years Sydney Gantzer and daughters Reid, Brenna and Claire. Also surviving are his parents Jerry and Leslie Gantzer, brother Kurt Gantzer, his wife Kathy and sons Eric and Ryan, his sister Kathy Thompson and her husband Alan and sons Grady and Phillip, brother Dan Gantzer and his wife Laura and daughters Caitlyn, Camryn and Jordyn, and numerous loving aunts, uncles and cousins. He is also survived by his loving extended family Jane Hoorman, Becky Heslep, Emily, Bobby, Sara and Peter Stewart and Jim and Barb Hoorman.

Ken has donated his body to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. A celebration of Life will be held Friday, June 19, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, 3101 Coit Rd., Plano, Texas 75075. A reception will follow at the Gantzer home at 2036 Lambert Ct., Plano, Texas 75075.
If desired, donations can be made to http://www.gofundme.com/isfmho
The family would like to invite you to participate in the Relay for Life event on October 10, 2015 at 6:00 pm in Rowlett, Texas honoring "Ken's Krew". Please find more information at http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?team_id=1866645&pg=team&fr_id=69549&s_locale=en_US&et=qVRYR_--W_BxgQdUycc3Gg&s_tafId=1612726