James Edward Gardner, Jr.

James Edward Gardner, Jr., surrounded by family, passed away peacefully at the age of 81. Jim was born and raised in Suffolk, VA, and was preceded in death by his father, James Edward Gardner, his mother Elizabeth Barnes Gardner, and his sister, Camilla Carroll Levien. He grew up on his family’s farm, where they raised cows, hogs, chickens, and grew peanuts, and he loved recounting stories from his childhood. He graduated from Chuckatuck High School in Chuckatuck, VA in 1960, and went to college at Virginia Tech, graduating in 1964 with a degree in Industrial Engineering.  He entered the US Army after graduation and served in the Vietnam War.  While he was stationed at Fort Lee in Petersburg, VA, he met his forever partner, Barbara Wrenn, who was a teacher at Petersburg High School.  They married on June 10th, 1967, and celebrated their 56th anniversary this year. Upon leaving the army, Jim took a job as an Industrial Engineer with Union Carbide (now Energizer) where he worked his entire career.  In 1974, his job took him to Asheboro, NC, where he planted roots for the rest of his life.

He was a devout Christian and a faithful member of First United Methodist Church and the Agape Sunday School class.  His favorite hobby was playing golf with his buddies every week. He also enjoyed playing in his monthly poker group and tinkering in his workshop.  He was a member of Kiwanis and was an avid reader.

Jim was most proud whenever he could talk about his large family. He had four children, and was ‘Granddaddy’ to nine grandchildren.  He is survived by his wife Barbara, son Jeff and his wife Robin, and grandsons Drew & Brad; son Mike and his wife Leah, and grandchildren Taylor and Mary Margaret; son Greg and his wife Kelly, and grandsons Wrenn and Blake; and daughter Julie and her husband Chad, and grandchildren Ellie, Brooke, and Grant. He was at his happiest when all 19 were under one roof.

A funeral will be held at First United Methodist Church in Asheboro, NC on October 19, 2023 at 2:00 pm, followed immediately by an internment at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church Asheboro, 224 N Fayetteville St, Asheboro, NC 27203.