James Gornto

James Daniel “Danny” Gornto, 70, of Hollister, passed from this life on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at the Malcom Randal V. A. Medical Center in Gainesville following an extended illness. Born in Palatka, Danny was raised in Putnam County and returned here from Bryson City, North Carolina where he had lived for 13 years. He served honorably in the U.S. Army as a helicopter mechanic. Danny worked as a welder at local shipyards and had also worked in construction as a roofer and carpenter. In his leisure time, Danny enjoyed reading Westerns. He was preceded in death by his daddy, Raymond Gornto, Jr. and his mother, Mary Vernell Carter Gilmore. Danny is survived by his wife of 20 years, Jackie Osteen Gornto of Hollister, 2 sons, Reese Gornto of Palatka and Jasper Benjamin Gornto, his step-children, Toya Woodard (“Red”) of Whittier, NC, Grady Jackson (Tina) of Hollister and Lorne Jackson also of Hollister, 3 sisters, Pat Osborne (Ed), Brenda Williams (James) and Linda Janiszewski, all of Palatka, 4 step-grand-children, 4 step-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Danny is also survived by his brother-in-law, Dr. L.D. Osteen (Brenda), his sister-in-law, Carolyn Rogers (Dale) and his long-time friend Phyllis Cason. Graveside services will be at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, December 1, 2016 at Etoniah Cemetery in Bardin with Dr. L.D. Osteen officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the American Lung Association, 6852 Belfort Oaks Place, Jacksonville, FL 32216 or to Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, 380 Boys Ranch Road, Palatka, FL 32177. Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Danny’s Book of Memories page at www.JohnsonOverturffunerals.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.