Dr. James Edgar Gardner, D.O. was born October 18, 1933, in Hurdland, Missouri, to Earnest and Maxie Gardner. He passed away at home under the care of Hospice of Northeast Missouri while surrounded by loving family on Thursday December 21, 2023.
He is survived by his wife of nearly a half century, Wilma (Wells) Gardner, six children: Lynn Ann (Gardner) Roberts and husband Larry of Weatherby Lake, MO., James Michael Gardner and wife Cindy of Columbia, David Bryan Gardner and wife Joy of Lee’s Summit, MO., Kelly Wayne Gardner and wife Pam of Cottleville, MO., Cynthia Marie (Gardner) Lewellen and husband Chuck of Kirksville, MO., and stepson Greg Murphy and wife Kim of Kirksville, MO., along with eighteen grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Earnest and Maxie (Smith) Gardner, his sister Mary (Gardner) Emdia, stillborn granddaughter Tanya Gardner, and grandson Matthew Lewellen, a Green Beret killed in action in Jordan.
A memorial service with military honors will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with family receiving friends from 9:00 a.m. to service time.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you remember Doc with a walk in the woods, a trip around the bases on Doc Gardner Field, breakfast at Pancake City, a spin around the dance floor at the VFW on Saturday night, or a donation to Missouri Boys Town in St. James, Missouri.