J. WARREN GARDNER, SR. - J. Warren Gardner, Sr., age 85, of Columbus, MS, passed away November 9, 2010, in Columbus, MS. Funeral services will be Friday, November 12, 2010, at 10:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church on Bluecutt Rd. with Rev. Chip Hatcher officiating and Rev. Tom Bryson assisting. The interment will immediately follow at Friendship Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be Thursday, November 11, 2010, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Gunter & Peel Funeral Home. Mr. Gardner was born December 31, 1924, in Columbus, MS, to the late Julian B. and Frances Bishop Gardner. He owned and operated a construction business, specializing in excavation, dirt work, and demolition and also a rental business. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Dell Duckworth Gardner, and sister, Cecile Gardner Andrews. Mr. Gardner was educated at Franklin Academy and Lee High School, from which he graduated in 1942. He enrolled at Mississippi State College in 1942, attended 3 semesters and volunteered to the U. S. Navy in 1942, where he served at the University of Louisville, KY and aboard the USS Saidor (CVE-117) in and around Pearl Harbor and the Hawaiian Islands, training all Navy and Marine pilots in take offs and landings aboard carriers. He returned from WWII in 1946 and enrolled at Mississippi State in 1946, and graduated with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1947. Mr. Gardner was the oldest member of the First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, since January 4, 1925 when his parents enrolled him in the Cradle Roll Department of the church. He taught Sunday School, was a Deacon, Elder, and member of the choir for years. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity at MS State, Columbus Kiwanis Club for over 50 years, co-founder, co-builder, and stockholder member of the Magnolia Tennis Club for over 30 years, Commissioner of the Columbus Housing Authority for 25 years, loyal supporter and contributor to the MUW Softball team for over 12 years. Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, J. Warren Gardner, Jr. of Concord, CA, Jerry and Martha Gardner of Brandon, MS, Jonathan Michael and Peggy Gardner of Atlanta, GA, and Ted Duckworth and Angela Gardner of Columbus, MS, grandchildren, Justin Lee Gardner of Houston, TX, Jonathan Michael Gardner of Atlanta, GA, Gina Elizabeth Gardner of Atlanta, GA, Julian Scott Gardner of Columbus, MS, and Lola Elizabeth Gardner of Columbus, MS, loving companion, Anne Harper of West Point, MS, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Pallbearers will be Lee Gardner, Richard Brown, Butch Dollar, Tommy Robinson, Tom Hatcher, and Bill Vaughn. Honorary pallbearers will be Sy Thomas, Jimmy Graham, Mickey Brislin, Hiliary Livingston, Frank Smith, General Robert Tanguy, Hubert Holmes, John Ingram, and Deacons & Elders of First Presbyterian Church. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 9681, Columbus, MS, 39705, the March of Dimes, 1991 Lakeland Dr. Suite G, Jackson, MS, 39216, or the donor's favorite charity.
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