Bennie Ray Gardner, age 88, went home to the Lord on Thursday, August 1, 2019. He was born in Jay, Florida on August 11, 1930 to Genie Augustus Gardner and Dora Anne Bodie Gardner. Bennie proudly served in the United States Army for 20 years, retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer. Following military service, Bennie spent 25 years supporting the Army as a civil servant at Redstone Arsenal. He was married to Joyce Cowley Gardner for 66 years, who preceded him in death less than one year ago.
He has three children, Stan Gardner (Loretta), Kandy Gardner Harris (Keith) and Karen Casey; four grandchildren; Lindsay Smith (Joshua Fleming), James Casey, Jason Casey (Grace) and Luke Harris; three great grandchildren, Zoe, Jackson, and Jillian. He has one surviving sibling, Robert (Bob) Gardner of Mableton, GA.
Bennie had many hobbies throughout his life and made many friends. He particularly loved to play golf, fly his Cessna 182 and attend Alabama Football Games.
A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home, 2320 Bob Wallace Avenue SW, Huntsville, AL with Bill Cowley officiating. Interment will be private. The Gardner family will greet friends, at Laughlin, from 10:30-11:00 prior to the service.
As an expression of sympathy, in remembrance of Bennie, memorial contributions may be sent to Still Serving Veterans (www.ssv.org).
The family would like to express its gratitude for the care that was provided to him by the staff of Floyd “Tut” Fann Veterans Home.
