During the first official week of summer, longtime Pearland ISD trustee Virgil Gant did one of the things he loved most, spending time with a Pearland scouting pack.

Pete Comeaux, a cubmaster for Pearland-based Pack 446, said Gant spent Monday through Friday at a getaway for cub scouts. He had served as a den leader for Pack 446, a group of nine boys that included his 8-year-old grandson, Samuel.

"The eight other boys probably would've considered him to be their grandfather too - that's how close they were with him," said Victoria Varela, an assistant den leader to Gant.

After the getaway, Gant was looking forward to a three-week road trip across Texas with his wife of 40 years, Deborah, and Samuel. But shortly after they left, Gant was killed in a truck accident in Crockett County, 14 miles west of Ozona.

Authorities said the 68-year-old Gant was driving a truck with a travel trailer attached at around 9:30 a.m. on June 26 when strong winds caused the trailer to sway back and forth. Gant lost control of the vehicle and it skidded off the road.

Gant's truck separated from the trailer and then rolled over twice, eventually landing in a ditch. Gant was pronounced dead at the scene. Deborah Gant and Samuel were transported to Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo, where they were in stable condition Wednesday.

Born in 1948 at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Gant was raised in Lancaster, Texas, according to an obituary posted by Clayton Funeral Homes. He graduated from Texas A&M in 1970, and served 28 years of active and reserve duty in the U.S. Navy, including two tours of active service in Vietnam. He retired as a captain.

"He was involved in Scouting for over 50 years and promoted the Boy Scout oath, motto and slogan in all of his endeavors," the obituary stated. " He enjoyed hobbies including photography, hiking, wooden boat building, and gardening. Virgil loved travelling and completed El Camino de Santiago, a 766 kilometer trek across Spain, in 2012."

Comeaux said Gant had an impact on the boys in Pack 446, for which he was a den leader.

"It was great to have his experience and his leadership, "Comeaux said. "His enthusiasm was so contagious. It was all about the boys."

Gant, a financial adviser and planner with Edward Jones in Pearland, was first elected to the Pearland ISD board of trustees in 1997, serving until 2006. After a three-year break, he was elected again in 2009.

Pearland Mayor Tom Reid said he had known Gant for more than 20 years. They first met through scouting organizations, and bonded over lunch meetings and coffee dates.

The mayor said Gant would often introduce Reid to cuisine he'd never tasted before, such as Chinese food, one of the trustee's favorites. They would talk about their time in the Navy or politics.

"He had a very positive view of life and he shared it with his friends," Reid said. "He was a person who you enjoyed being around."

Reid said the Gant family was well-respected throughout the community, adding that Deborah Gant, a pediatrician, was "a wonderful medical doctor" who knew how to handle children.

Gant had lived in Pearland for more than 20 years and was the longest-serving member of the Pearland ISD board.

"We are shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our fellow trustee," board President Rebecca Decker said in a statement. "He was a dear friend, mentor and a devoted champion for Pearland ISD."

District Superintendent John Kelly said, "Virgil Gant was both my boss and my good friend. More importantly, he was the friend of every student in this school district, always generous of his time and his resources. He did so much good - and with so little fanfare - that most people were not even aware of his many, many contributions to charities and good causes. His death is an enormous loss for our community."

In addition to his wife, Gant is survived by four children, six grandchildren and two brothers.

A visitation for Gant will be held Tuesday starting at 5 p.m. at St. Helen Catholic Church in Pearland, with a Rosary recited at 7 p.m. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Dickinson.