John Gardner, 58, of Clyde, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022.
Born in Charlottesville, Va., John was one of four children of Dr. Robert E. and Betty Anne Beville Gardner.
He was a member of Ridgeway Baptist Church.
John graduated from Murphy High School and Western Carolina University.
He served in the enlisted and commissioned officer ranks of the U.S. Army Reserve.
He was employed by JCPenney for five years and with N.C. Farm Bureau for almost 30 years.
He coached youth baseball and basketball.
John greatly enjoyed being with his family. He also enjoyed listening to Alexander Scourby read the Bible once he began having problems with his vision.
John was preceded in death by his father, niece Rachel Gardner Jones, father-in-law Don Hogsed and mother-in-law Carol Hogsed.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Angie; his son, Tyler Gardner and wife Neekou of Fairview, N.C., and his grandson, Cyrus John; five siblings, Bryan (Kathy) Wilmington, Debra Abbott (Bill) Helena, Mont., Clai (Jude) San Antonio, Texas, Robert Murphy, and David Murphy; his mother, Betty Anne Beville Gardner of Charlottesville, Va., and stepmother Brenda Gardner, Murphy; brother-in-law Mike Hogsed (Dawn) of Murphy; along with several nieces and nephews, as well as great nieces and nephews.
The Lord was faithful and blessed John beyond measure and preserved him from serious health issues in 1998 and 2014 when in the shadow of death.
He was always grateful the Lord allowed him to watch his son, Tyler, grow up and blessed him with enough years to meet his grandson and namesake Cyrus John.
He will always be dearly loved and missed by those closest to him.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, at Ridgeway Baptist Church, with the Rev. Jack W. Collins officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Music will be provided by the Rev. Scott Sprinkle. Pallbearers will be Tyler Gardner, Bryan Gardner, Clai Gardner, Robert Gardner, Andrew Gardner and Garrin Hogsed. Honorary pallbearer will be Cyrus Gardner.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to these Christian charities: Ridgeway Baptist Church Men’s Association, 525 Old U.S. 19-23, Candler, NC 28715 or in memory of John Gardner to Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 164, Murphy, NC 28906.
The care of Mr. Gardner has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes of Canton. An online memorial register is available under “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com.