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Dan M. Chant


Dan M. Chant

Dan Mercer Chant, Jan. 17, 1922 – March 25, 2017.

After several years of health problems, Dan Mercer Chant, a long-time resident of Uvalde, Texas, most recently of Bandera, Texas, passed away at 95 years of age on Saturday, March 25, 2017.

Dan was born in Mountainair, New Mexico, on Jan. 17, 1922, but the family soon moved back to Uvalde. He was preceded in death by many of his loved ones: parents, Joseph Walker Chant and Julia Mae Terrell Chant, also long-time residents of Uvalde; first wife, Mary Jane, and his second wife, Marjorie Ada Grantland Chant. Dan’s brother Walter died at the battle of Iwo Jima in the South Pacific during World War II.

Dan is survived by his step-daughter, Geneise Leonie Alterman and her husband, Kevin Whisenhunt, of Barksdale, Texas; his nephew, Col. Joe Tyra, Ret., and wife, Janet, of Bandera, Texas, and numerous family members. Dan was a kind and generous soul who loved his cats, and his family – he will be missed.

With his passing, we have lost another venerable veteran of World War II. Dan was drafted at age 20. He was sent from Uvalde, Texas, to serve on the battlegrounds of Europe in the 3252nd Signal Service Company 19th Corps, U.S. Army, as a high speed radio operator. He played an important role in the D-Day invasion of France by intercepting enemy messages that were instrumental in winning the Battle of the Bulge. Following that action, Dan served in five military campaigns in the European Theatre before receiving his honorable discharge. After discharge on Dec. 24, 1945, he returned home to Uvalde on Christmas Eve. To his parents, who were not expecting him, it was the best Christmas present they could have ever received.

After separation from U.S. Army service, Dan trained as a certified Chevrolet, GMC, and Oldsmobile mechanic, working at the dealership on West Main Street in Uvalde for many years. Known for his excellence, Dan worked in that trade all his life, leaving behind many appreciative people who greatly depended on his skills.

Recently, Dan enjoyed being included as an honored participant in the Veteran’s Day and Fourth of July parades in Bandera, Texas. On Nov. 13, 2013, the Bandera Bulletin published an article with photos about Dan’s wartime service. Concurrently, on Nov. 14, 2013, the Bandera County Courier published a similar article with photos. Dan was appreciatively overwhelmed with the recognition and honor for his service. (Please refer to those newspapers for more information.)

The American Legion, Bandera, honored Dan with a special ceremony in April 2017. Dan’s ashes will be placed in the Barksdale, Texas, cemetery next to his late wife, Marjorie Ada Chant, at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 20, 2017. Friends, family, and extended family are invited to join us at graveside for a short service to send Dan on his way with love.

Family names that may be related to Dan in the Uvalde and Nueces Canyon area are: Reavis, Roberts, Connell, Engleking, Terrell, Taylor, Rhodes, Nunn, Nance, Pennington and Stovall.

The preceding is a paid obituary.

 

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