T.D. "Duke" Gardner - 1924-2015
T.D. ("DUKE") GARDNER, a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather departed to be face to face with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ on September 5, 2015. He was born in Roby, Fisher County, Texas on January 19, 1924, the sixth of ten children born to Samuel Augustus Gardner and wife Lilla Bertha. He attended high school in Ropesville, Texas, then college at Texas Tech University majoring in Dairy Manufacturing. After two years of college, he enlisted in the Navy becoming a Marine Corps fighter pilot in World War II and flying with several men from the Blacksheep Squadron. He was honorably discharged as a Captain, USMC. He resumed college and graduated in August of 1947 having been married on December 15, 1946 to the love of his life, Patsy Ray Rivers from Bogota, Texas. They celebrated 65 years of marriage together. He moved to Houston, working first as a dairy chemist, then as a dairy manufacturing equipment salesman before starting his own retail ice cream business. He sold that business in 1960 and became a homebuilder for four years before starting his own residential development company. He developed Candlelight Plaza, Candlelight Forest, Candlelight Forest West and Candlelight Hills. He was a man of principle and uncompromising integrity. His word was his bond. You knew where you stood with him at all times. He was also tenacious and tough-minded but considerate and generous to a fault. He was an accomplished hunter, fisherman and water skier. He enjoyed ranching and reading. His mind was sharp until the moment he departed.
He joined Berachah Church on July 3, 1955. His primary spiritual gift was helping other people, lots of them. He was a strong patriot, a great Texan and a better Christian. He made it a point to witness to others when the opportunity presented itself. He also gave sound doctrinal advice to those who sought his counsel. He was quick to make it clear that Christianity is a relationship with Christ, not a religion.
Consequently, he would want salvation made clear to those of you who are lost and without Christ. Simply put, salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 says "For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift from God, not of human good works, lest any man should boast." In other words, you can't add anything to salvation; Christ did all the work on the cross; You simply accept or reject Christ as Saviour. Don't pass up this opportunity; it could be your last. The decision is yours to make.
His parents, his wife and all but two of his siblings preceded him in death. He is survived by his son, Gene F. Gardner and wife Cathy of New Bielau, Texas, his daughter Gayle Gardner Erskine and husband John of The Villages, Florida, his daughter Beverle Gardner Ostrofsky and husband Marc of Houston, Texas and his daughter-in-law Durinda S. Gardner of Plano, Texas, as well as five grandchildren, David Gardner, Olivia Gardner, John Eric Thompson and wife Helyna, Madison Grieco and Mary Grace Grieco. He is also survived by two sisters, Dorothy Adams and husband Weldon, Lavanne Emery and husband Art, two sisters-in-law, Laverne Gardner and Jean Gardner as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
The family would like to thank his caregivers, Nancy Tampir and Alison Butler for their devotion to his every need.
The memorial service celebrating his life will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, October 26, 2015 at Berachah Church, 2815 Sage Road, Houston, Texas, The Reverend Robert B. Thieme, III officiating.
Contributions in T.D.'s memory may be directed to the charity of one's choice.
Published in Houston Chronicle on Sept. 20, 2015
T.D. ("DUKE") GARDNER, a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather departed to be face to face with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ on September 5, 2015. He was born in Roby, Fisher County, Texas on January 19, 1924, the sixth of ten children born to Samuel Augustus Gardner and wife Lilla Bertha. He attended high school in Ropesville, Texas, then college at Texas Tech University majoring in Dairy Manufacturing. After two years of college, he enlisted in the Navy becoming a Marine Corps fighter pilot in World War II and flying with several men from the Blacksheep Squadron. He was honorably discharged as a Captain, USMC. He resumed college and graduated in August of 1947 having been married on December 15, 1946 to the love of his life, Patsy Ray Rivers from Bogota, Texas. They celebrated 65 years of marriage together. He moved to Houston, working first as a dairy chemist, then as a dairy manufacturing equipment salesman before starting his own retail ice cream business. He sold that business in 1960 and became a homebuilder for four years before starting his own residential development company. He developed Candlelight Plaza, Candlelight Forest, Candlelight Forest West and Candlelight Hills. He was a man of principle and uncompromising integrity. His word was his bond. You knew where you stood with him at all times. He was also tenacious and tough-minded but considerate and generous to a fault. He was an accomplished hunter, fisherman and water skier. He enjoyed ranching and reading. His mind was sharp until the moment he departed.
He joined Berachah Church on July 3, 1955. His primary spiritual gift was helping other people, lots of them. He was a strong patriot, a great Texan and a better Christian. He made it a point to witness to others when the opportunity presented itself. He also gave sound doctrinal advice to those who sought his counsel. He was quick to make it clear that Christianity is a relationship with Christ, not a religion.
Consequently, he would want salvation made clear to those of you who are lost and without Christ. Simply put, salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 says "For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift from God, not of human good works, lest any man should boast." In other words, you can't add anything to salvation; Christ did all the work on the cross; You simply accept or reject Christ as Saviour. Don't pass up this opportunity; it could be your last. The decision is yours to make.
His parents, his wife and all but two of his siblings preceded him in death. He is survived by his son, Gene F. Gardner and wife Cathy of New Bielau, Texas, his daughter Gayle Gardner Erskine and husband John of The Villages, Florida, his daughter Beverle Gardner Ostrofsky and husband Marc of Houston, Texas and his daughter-in-law Durinda S. Gardner of Plano, Texas, as well as five grandchildren, David Gardner, Olivia Gardner, John Eric Thompson and wife Helyna, Madison Grieco and Mary Grace Grieco. He is also survived by two sisters, Dorothy Adams and husband Weldon, Lavanne Emery and husband Art, two sisters-in-law, Laverne Gardner and Jean Gardner as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
The family would like to thank his caregivers, Nancy Tampir and Alison Butler for their devotion to his every need.
The memorial service celebrating his life will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, October 26, 2015 at Berachah Church, 2815 Sage Road, Houston, Texas, The Reverend Robert B. Thieme, III officiating.
Contributions in T.D.'s memory may be directed to the charity of one's choice.
Published in Houston Chronicle on Sept. 20, 2015
T.D. "Duke" Gardner - 1924-2015
T.D. ("DUKE") GARDNER, a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather departed to be face to face with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ on September 5, 2015. He was born in Roby, Fisher County, Texas on January 19, 1924, the sixth of ten children born to Samuel Augustus Gardner and wife Lilla Bertha. He attended high school in Ropesville, Texas, then college at Texas Tech University majoring in Dairy Manufacturing. After two years of college, he enlisted in the Navy becoming a Marine Corps fighter pilot in World War II and flying with several men from the Blacksheep Squadron. He was honorably discharged as a Captain, USMC. He resumed college and graduated in August of 1947 having been married on December 15, 1946 to the love of his life, Patsy Ray Rivers from Bogota, Texas. They celebrated 65 years of marriage together. He moved to Houston, working first as a dairy chemist, then as a dairy manufacturing equipment salesman before starting his own retail ice cream business. He sold that business in 1960 and became a homebuilder for four years before starting his own residential development company. He developed Candlelight Plaza, Candlelight Forest, Candlelight Forest West and Candlelight Hills. He was a man of principle and uncompromising integrity. His word was his bond. You knew where you stood with him at all times. He was also tenacious and tough-minded but considerate and generous to a fault. He was an accomplished hunter, fisherman and water skier. He enjoyed ranching and reading. His mind was sharp until the moment he departed.
He joined Berachah Church on July 3, 1955. His primary spiritual gift was helping other people, lots of them. He was a strong patriot, a great Texan and a better Christian. He made it a point to witness to others when the opportunity presented itself. He also gave sound doctrinal advice to those who sought his counsel. He was quick to make it clear that Christianity is a relationship with Christ, not a religion.
Consequently, he would want salvation made clear to those of you who are lost and without Christ. Simply put, salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 says "For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift from God, not of human good works, lest any man should boast." In other words, you can't add anything to salvation; Christ did all the work on the cross; You simply accept or reject Christ as Saviour. Don't pass up this opportunity; it could be your last. The decision is yours to make.
His parents, his wife and all but two of his siblings preceded him in death. He is survived by his son, Gene F. Gardner and wife Cathy of New Bielau, Texas, his daughter Gayle Gardner Erskine and husband John of The Villages, Florida, his daughter Beverle Gardner Ostrofsky and husband Marc of Houston, Texas and his daughter-in-law Durinda S. Gardner of Plano, Texas, as well as five grandchildren, David Gardner, Olivia Gardner, John Eric Thompson and wife Helyna, Madison Grieco and Mary Grace Grieco. He is also survived by two sisters, Dorothy Adams and husband Weldon, Lavanne Emery and husband Art, two sisters-in-law, Laverne Gardner and Jean Gardner as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
The family would like to thank his caregivers, Nancy Tampir and Alison Butler for their devotion to his every need.
The memorial service celebrating his life will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, October 26, 2015 at Berachah Church, 2815 Sage Road, Houston, Texas, The Reverend Robert B. Thieme, III officiating.
Contributions in T.D.'s memory may be directed to the charity of one's choice.
Published in Houston Chronicle on Sept. 20, 2015
T.D. ("DUKE") GARDNER, a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather departed to be face to face with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ on September 5, 2015. He was born in Roby, Fisher County, Texas on January 19, 1924, the sixth of ten children born to Samuel Augustus Gardner and wife Lilla Bertha. He attended high school in Ropesville, Texas, then college at Texas Tech University majoring in Dairy Manufacturing. After two years of college, he enlisted in the Navy becoming a Marine Corps fighter pilot in World War II and flying with several men from the Blacksheep Squadron. He was honorably discharged as a Captain, USMC. He resumed college and graduated in August of 1947 having been married on December 15, 1946 to the love of his life, Patsy Ray Rivers from Bogota, Texas. They celebrated 65 years of marriage together. He moved to Houston, working first as a dairy chemist, then as a dairy manufacturing equipment salesman before starting his own retail ice cream business. He sold that business in 1960 and became a homebuilder for four years before starting his own residential development company. He developed Candlelight Plaza, Candlelight Forest, Candlelight Forest West and Candlelight Hills. He was a man of principle and uncompromising integrity. His word was his bond. You knew where you stood with him at all times. He was also tenacious and tough-minded but considerate and generous to a fault. He was an accomplished hunter, fisherman and water skier. He enjoyed ranching and reading. His mind was sharp until the moment he departed.
He joined Berachah Church on July 3, 1955. His primary spiritual gift was helping other people, lots of them. He was a strong patriot, a great Texan and a better Christian. He made it a point to witness to others when the opportunity presented itself. He also gave sound doctrinal advice to those who sought his counsel. He was quick to make it clear that Christianity is a relationship with Christ, not a religion.
Consequently, he would want salvation made clear to those of you who are lost and without Christ. Simply put, salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 says "For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift from God, not of human good works, lest any man should boast." In other words, you can't add anything to salvation; Christ did all the work on the cross; You simply accept or reject Christ as Saviour. Don't pass up this opportunity; it could be your last. The decision is yours to make.
His parents, his wife and all but two of his siblings preceded him in death. He is survived by his son, Gene F. Gardner and wife Cathy of New Bielau, Texas, his daughter Gayle Gardner Erskine and husband John of The Villages, Florida, his daughter Beverle Gardner Ostrofsky and husband Marc of Houston, Texas and his daughter-in-law Durinda S. Gardner of Plano, Texas, as well as five grandchildren, David Gardner, Olivia Gardner, John Eric Thompson and wife Helyna, Madison Grieco and Mary Grace Grieco. He is also survived by two sisters, Dorothy Adams and husband Weldon, Lavanne Emery and husband Art, two sisters-in-law, Laverne Gardner and Jean Gardner as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
The family would like to thank his caregivers, Nancy Tampir and Alison Butler for their devotion to his every need.
The memorial service celebrating his life will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, October 26, 2015 at Berachah Church, 2815 Sage Road, Houston, Texas, The Reverend Robert B. Thieme, III officiating.
Contributions in T.D.'s memory may be directed to the charity of one's choice.
Published in Houston Chronicle on Sept. 20, 2015
Inscription
CAPT, US Marine Corps, World War II
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
