James Lawrence Gardner

Mr. James Lawrence Gardner, 89, of 1228 Maxwell Street, Salisbury, formerly of Havelock, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at his home. Mr. Gardner was born February 8, 1919, in Surry County, son of the late Henry Lee Gardner, Sr. and Naomi Ruth Johnson Gardner. James served our country in the United States Army during World War II. He worked as a water supply foreman in the Headquarters and Service Company, 208th Engineers Combat Battalion, throughout the battles of Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. As a result of his bravery, he was decorated with several medals, including the Eamet Campaign medal with four bronze service stars. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Mr. Gardner was a water treatment operator for the United States Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point. Mr. Gardner was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Havelock. He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Diane G. and the Rev. P. Dudley Neal of Roseboro and Donna G. and Dr. James K. Stringfield of Salisbury; five grandchildren and spouses, Patrick G. and Angela Neal, Matthew D. and Katie Neal, and James C. and Amanda Neal, all of Clinton, Sarah L. Stringfield of Tokyo, Japan, and Laura E. Stringfield of Salisbury; three great-grandchildren, Landon Neal, Eli Neal, and Colton Neal, all of Clinton; and a brother, Henry Lee Gardner, Jr. of Mount Airy. In addition to his parents, Mr. Gardner was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Lettie Lucille Venable Gardner; and two sisters, Vivian Esther Gardner Patterson and Addie Ruth Gardner Bass. The funeral service will be held Saturday, April 19, 2008, at 11:00 AM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy, with the Rev. P. Dudley Neal and the Rev. Allen Schuyler officiating. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery, with military rites by the VFW Memorial Honor Guard Post 2019 of Mount Airy and Post 9436 of Pilot Mountain. The family will receive friends Saturday from 10:00 until 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions can be made to Hospice and Palliative CareCenter, 512 Klumac Road, Suite 3, Salisbury, NC 28144.