Harold Jay Nantz
Harold Jay Nantz, age 95, of Salem, Virginia passed away Friday, December 30, 2022. He was born, June 11, 1927 in Statesville, NC and grew up in Mooresville, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Jay Nantz and Alva Arthurs Nantz Jarrett, his former wife, Adelaide A. Nantz, and a son, Harold Blick Nantz.
Harold is survived by his wife of 35 years, Betty Nantz; four daughters, Ponza (Mark) Atkinson, Paige Johnston, Patricia (David) Bowers, and Penni Lawrence Riley (Delmer); three stepsons, Peter McKnight (Danielle), John McKnight (Susan), and Dr. Andrew McKnight (Jen). He is also survived by 16 grandchildren, Clara (Gilbert) Ortega, Matthew “Sparky” Atkinson (Leigh), Jeb Stuart Johnston (Sarah), Samantha Johnston, Lt. Colonel Kyle Johnston (Becky), Dr. Wrenn Brendel (Alex), Seth Riley, Drew Bowers (Liz), Kelly Bowers, Anna McKnight, Harman McKnight, Charlotte McKnight, Colby McKnight, Lylah McKnight, Rhyse McKnight and David McKnight. Also surviving are nine great grandchildren, Dominga Ortega, Gemma (Josh) Dooley, Eva Ortega, Noah Atkinson, Maddox Atkinson, Hudson Brendel, Fiona Brendel, Grant Johnston and Luke Johnston; as well as one great great grandchild, Phoebe Jane Dooley.
Harold graduated from Mooresville High School in 1944. After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy during World War II. Upon his return, Harold attended North Carolina State University, but soon left to work as a mechanic for Crouch Brothers House Moving in Mooresville. He was soon asked to supervise several jobs, and in 1961, moved his family to Salem, Virginia to oversee the movement of homes off the land dedicated to the construction of Interstates 81, 64, and 581. In 1969, he left the house moving business to work for Allis-Chalmers, and from there, he retired, and later worked as a retail salesman for a John Deere dealership.
Harold loved good music and played saxophone in a dance band in the 1950’s. He also loved his pets, particularly his little dog, JR, and he loved catfish and anything with gravy! But more than anything, he loved his family, and bragged about them to anyone that would listen. Trying to get all the kids and grandkids together for a fish fry and barbecue was difficult, but that didn’t keep him from trying. And none of them ever walked away from time with him without learning something new. He was truly one of a kind.
A Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 7, 2022, at Lotz Funeral Home in Salem, Virginia. The family will receive friends at 10 a.m. prior to the Funeral Service.
