James “Jim” L. Gardner
James “Jim” L. Gardner, age 74, of Coulterville, passed away on Friday, January 13, 2017 in Missouri Baptist Hospital, St. Louis, Mo.
Jim was born on August 10, 1942 in Sparta, son to Charles C. and Margaret “Viola” (Bowers) Gardner. On March 21, 1963, he married Starr Landis Allen in Perryville, Mo., and she preceded him in death on February 12, 2012 after 54 years of marriage. In his lifetime, he had worked as a farmer, worked for General Motors, St. Louis, Mo., on the Chevrolet Corvette line for 13 years, retired as a coal miner from Captain Mine and then drove a truck for Beelman for several years. He was of the Baptist faith. Jim enjoyed horses, horse shows, trail rides and camping, riding his Harley Davidson, mudding on his 4-wheelers and side-by-side and riding in his red jeep. He dearly loved his kids and grandkids.
Survivors include his two sons, Jimmy (Lacy) Gardner, II of Sparta, and Chuck (Kip) Gardner of Swanwick; a daughter, Terry Gardner (Dwayne Kempfer) of Coulterville; three sisters, Sharon Simpson of South Carolina, Sandy Vickery of Percy, and Bonnie Kempfer of Coulterville; seven grandchildren, Chelsey Meadows-Gardner, Jimmy Gardner, III, Jessica Gardner, Alessa Montroy-Gardner, Ethan Montroy-Gardner, Jacob Kempfer and Jordan Kempfer; three step-grandchildren, Sammy, Matty and Lea-Bug; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and a special friend, Betty Rackley of Coulterville.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; a grandson, Levi Gardner; a brother, Jack Gardner; and two brothers-in-law, Bob Simpson and Paul Vickery.
Funeral services will be held at Pyatt Funeral Home, Coulterville, on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. with Brian Hobbs officiating. Pallbearers will be Tony Warren, Dwayne Kempfer, Mikie Vickery, Eric Rosenthal, Scott Mitchell and Brian Sinn. Interment will be in Swanwick Bethel Cemetery, Swanwick.
Friends may call at Pyatt Funeral Home, Coulterville, on Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made to Swanwick Bethel Cemetery, Swanwick.
For more information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.
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