Wyatt Gant

Wyatt Gant, formerly known as Wyatt R. Hataway, was born November 14, 1978 in Olney, Illinois and passed into his eternal peace and rest on December 22, 2025 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

He moved with his family from Illinois to Florida and attended elementary schools in New Smyrna Beach and Edgewater, Florida, and Middle School in New Smyrna Beach.

Wyatt graduated from New Smyrna Beach High School in 1997. At his height of 6'7", he played the position of center on the high school varsity basketball team.

He was adopted as an adult by his late step-father, Richard "Rick" Gant prior to the birth of his only daughter, Ayana Jai Gant, age 13, who was the light of her Daddy's life.

In addition to playing basketball, Wyatt enjoyed fishing and hanging out with his best high school buddy and guardian angel, Casey Clark.

He was formerly employed as an Assistant Manager at Hot Topic and Pac Sun in Daytona Beach, Florida and also worked at Lindley's Nursery in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Of all the jobs he had in his life, the one he was most proud of was being a Daddy to his one and only baby girl, Ayana Jai Gant.

In addition to his daughter, Ayana Jai Gant, he is survived by his mother, JoAnn Gant; his sister, Heather Odgers, and her daughters, Anneliese and Emeline Odgers; his step-brother Jason (Dianne) Gant and their son, Holden, of Fort Collins, Colorado; his step-sister, Kathleen (Anthony) Ortiz, and their children, Calvin, Carleigh, Caden, of Tampa, Florida; his former wife, Jaime Miller Gant, and her son, Asher Bell; his friend, roommate and guardian angel, Devon Haedrich; plus several cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles.

Wyatt was preceded in death by his father, step-father, maternal grandparents, Ray and Frances Blakney; paternal grandparents, William Robert Hataway, Sr. and Opal (Wingert) Hataway; Uncle Edward Hataway, and several other aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at Hardin Hall  at the Edgewater United Methodist Church, Edgewater, Florida with Pastor Staci Plonsky, officiating  at 1:00 p.m. All who knew of Wyatt are invited to come and share happy memories or just come to support the family.

Wyatt will be remembered for a million little things, but his smile, especially when he saw his daughter, lit up the room. He had such a kind, caring heart, quick wit, and that inherited Hataway sarcasm.

Wyatt had a unique personality which was obvious by his tattoos that covered most of his body, and his dreadlocks in his hair. He didn't have a lot of friends, but the ones he had he knew for a long time and he cherished them. 

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