George Michael Gantes; Fedco Executive

George Michael Gantes, 53, who rose from stockroom clerk to top executive positions at Fedco. Gantes went to work for the discount chain in 1962 and at the time of his death was chief operating officer, director of merchandising and executive vice president. He had also worked as a merchandise buyer, a store manager and administrative assistant to company president and chief executive Edward L. Butterworth. Gantes was also a civic leader, serving as president of the Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce. He earned the group’s Business Citizen of the Year award in 1992. On Sunday in Los Angeles of natural causes.