We are brokenhearted to say goodbye to our dear husband, father, grandpa, and friend, James Lee Gardner Jr., 101, of Bryans Road, Maryland, who passed away in the comfort of his beloved home in the early morning hours of December 30, 2025.

Jim was born on January 21,1924, to James and Louise Gardner in Oakland, California. When he was a little lad, the family moved back to their hometown of Kahoka, Missouri. Growing up, he spent his early years rambling in the surrounding woods, hills, and farms, and fishing on the Fox River with his younger brother Vic. Together, they developed a lifelong love of the great outdoors. He graduated from Kahoka High School in 1943 at a time when America was fully entrenched in WWII.

Answering the call to duty at the age of 18, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army, a decision that would help shape his character and provide a lifetime of stories. He served with honor in the European Theater as a Signal Operator. Though he never considered himself a hero, his service was a testament to the "Greatest Generation's" sacrifice and resilience.

After WWII, Jim returned to Kahoka, where he did O.J.T. for a few years, learning to be a Jeep mechanic at Austin Diehl’s Garage. He then met the love of his life, Wanda, while walking around the town square after the summertime band concerts where Wanda played the clarinet.

He joined the newly formed Air Force, leaving for Denver to study at the Army School. He was then transferred to the Naval Ordinance Station School of Explosive Ordinance Disposal in Indian Head, Maryland. After graduating at the top of class, Jim and Wanda were married on November 25, 1951.

Not long after they were married, Jim was sent to Korea for a year during the Korean War. Leaving Korea, he returned home to his wife and son Tim, who was born while he was overseas. The new family was then transferred to California for a year. After that year, he decided to leave the service, and the family came home to the farm in Kahoka. Soon after, Air Force recruiters came out to the farm asking him to come back to the service.

Thus, Jim continued his 30 plus year career in the U.S. Air Force. The ensuing years saw the growing family – additions of son David and daughter Sara – travel to Luxembourg, Germany, Oklahoma, up to Canada, Washington State, Delaware, and then back to Maryland where he worked as instructor at the same E.O.D. school he studied at in Indian Head.

For a year during the Vietnam War, Jim was deployed to a strategic Air Force base in Takhli, Thailand, where he was a Chief in charge of a group of E.O.D. men supporting the war effort. He returned to Indian Head to continue working at the Naval Ordinance Station (now NAVSEA), until he retired as Chief Master Sergeant with honorable and outstanding service in 1974.

After retiring, Jim earned an associate degree in Estuary Sciences from Charles County Community College. He then settled on a new career with the Navy in their CAD Engineering Division at NAVSEA.

Jim was a devoted family man and husband. He and Wanda raised three children together, and their 74 years of marriage were filled with love and unwavering commitment to each other and their family. They made lifelong friends in every place they were stationed, and those friendships brought them extraordinary joy through the years.

He was the happiest being with his family and dear friends, but especially when he had a fishing rod in hand. He was a keen outdoorsman and hunter-gatherer, distinctly of mushrooms, old bottles, and driftwood, with which he beautifully landscaped the yard. He was an avid and detailed storyteller, recounting his childhood adventures, war experiences, family recollections and, of course, fishing stories of all kinds. He had a knack for narrating, transporting the listener into whatever story he was retelling.

Jim was a kind and gentle man, known for his integrity, quiet strength, and his love of the Lord. He loved his church community at Grace Church in Waldorf, Maryland, joyfully lending his skills to the service of the church, helping to build their school gymnasium, tending to extensive landscaping, sometimes frying up fish for their men’s prayer breakfasts, singing in the choir, and being an active member of a beloved small group with Wanda. Also at Grace, he loved teaching the middle schoolers how to fish at a local park pond.

He was a vital member of an active old-time musical community. At their twice-yearly weekend gatherings, he served with Wanda as the camp kitchen hosts and was the master campfire builder (those that were there know about his special effects technique).

As a proud husband, father, Veteran and beloved friend, his long life spanned a century of dramatic change. He held enduring values, with his faith and belief in God being the foundation for how he lived his life and treated others.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, sister Betty King, recently departed brother Vic Gardner, sister-in-law Marilyn Gardner, nephew Chuck King, and daughter-in-law Debbie Gardner.  

He is survived by his loving children: Tim Gardner of Indian Head, Maryland; David Gardner and his wife Christa of Dunsville, Virginia; and Sara Gardner-Gail and husband Scanlon of Los Angeles, California.

He also leaves behind four cherished grandchildren, eight wonderful great-grandchildren, and treasured nieces and nephews, who all loved him dearly.

A memorial will be held Sunday, January 11, 2025 at Grace Church of Waldorf, 13000 Zekiah Drive, Waldorf, Maryland, 20601.  The viewing will be from 2-4 p.m., with service to follow from 4-5 p.m. and reception after in the church’s dining hall.  

Jim will be laid to rest at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Cheltenham, Maryland, on a Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 11:15 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Tunnel to Towers (t2t.org).