Obituary of Roger Neil Gardner

Roger Neil Gardner passed from earth to glory on Wednesday, July, 24, 2019, at Indian Path Medical Center after a lengthy illness.

Roger was born in Wise County, Virginia to the late George and Hattie Gardner. As a child he lived in Wise, VA and Spartanburg, South Carolina coming to live in Kingsport at an early age.

He began his career as a meat cutter with the Little Store in 1962. In 1979 he took over as General Manager of the Kingsport Mall and returned as a meat cutter in the late 90’s, retiring from Food City as the Meat Dept. manager in Colonial Heights. His greatest joy in life was his family and being able to take others to places they had never been and enjoying the smiles on their faces, like mom and dad seeing the ocean for the first time.

In addition to his parents Roger was preceded in death by his brothers, Keith, Robert (Quinn), Max and George; niece, Diane Shelton Neeb.

Survivors include his loving wife of 56 ½ years, Barbara Crawford Gardner; daughter, Joyce Annette Gardner; son, Joshua Neil Gardner; granddaughter, Baileigh Quinn Gardner; sisters, Joyce Shelton and Vivian Parker; brother, Dennis (Mamie) Gardner; sister-in-laws, Margie, Vonda, and Teena Gardner, Mable Gregg, and Virginia (Clayton) Smith; special friends, Harold &Linda James and family, and Ben Cork; along with several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The family will receive friends from 5pm to 7pm on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at Carter-Trent, downtown Kingsport. The funeral will follow with Pastor Tim Owen and Ben Cork officiating.

Graveside services will be conducted at 2pm on Sunday, July 28, 2019, at East Tennessee Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be his son Joshua Gardner, brother Dennis Gardner, nephews Jeff Gardner, John Gardner, Rick Gardner, Bryan Gregg, Phil Gregg and Randy Gregg. Honorary pallbearers are Randy Gardner, Steve Parker, Clayton Smith and Harold James. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the cemetery by 1:50pm Sunday.

Special thanks to Indian Path ICU nurses and 5^th floor ICU stepdown for the wonderful love and care shown, not only to Roger but to our family. To Dr. Carr and Dr. Noucklass for their commitment to his care.

In lieu of flowers, donations are greatly appreciated to cover medical expenses.