Gary Eugene Gardner

Gary Eugene Gardner was born in 1948 to Chester Eugene Gardner and Edith Lorraine Priddy Gardner in Louisville, Kentucky. He was the oldest son to his younger brother Robin and sister Karla. Their Family relocated to Los Angeles in 1955 for his father's new position as an electrician at the City of Los Angeles.
As the oldest son in the family, he was instructed to attend church. So Gary dutifully attended Sunset Wesleyan Church until he graduated from high school. His Sunday school teacher even commented that Gary was his most dedicated student. He didn't realize at that time that lessons he learned as a young man out of familial obligations would prepare him for a life in ministry and service.
After graduating from La Puente High School in 1966, he enlisted in the Air Force serving his country for four years. He then studied at Cal State Los Angeles and from there, he transferred to a Trade School to learn Computer Operations. After completing his trade in Computer Operations, he started his career in the City of Los Angeles as a Senior Computer Operator. He was then transferred from the City of Los Angeles to the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro as a Senior Computer Operator II. Where he has worked for the past 23 years at both districts.
He meet and became captivated by a beautiful, and lively Chinese woman named Millie in February of 1970. They were married in March 1971 and gave birth to two sons, James Eugene Gardner and John Robert Gardner. Both Gary and Millie have been happily married for 41 years.
His Pastor saw Gary's ability to teach others about the Holy Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ. He encouraged Gary to continue his education in Theological Studies. As a result of the encouragement Gary received from his pastor and close friends, he enrolled to the Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary with the prospect of serving our Lord Jesus Christ and dedicating his future to minister others. From his dedication and hard work, he graduated from Golden Gate with a degree in Theological Studies of Christian Education.
He ministered at First Southern Baptist Church of Alta Loma and then later was ordained to Pastor in 2005.
The most significant lives that he impacted here are his two sons, James and John who had come to experience God's love through their father from the time they were young. Gary was a patient father, loving husband, and a wonderful friend to many. His fervent laughter which was often contagious, his sincerity, his transparency, his eagerness in serving others, and his joyful optimism will truly be missed by those who knew him.