William R. “Dick” Gardiner
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - Dick Gardiner, 89, passed away on Saturday, January 9, 2021 after a brief hospice stay. Born in Water Valley, Mississippi on March 29, 1931, he was the son of the late Clifton & Marie (Wolfe) Gardiner. After growing up farming and graduating valedictorian from Water Valley High School, Dick moved to Memphis to attend Memphis School of Commerce. Studying accounting, typing, and shorthand, he sat behind a lovely young girl from Frog Jump, Tennessee, who thought Dick was the best looking boy she had ever seen in her entire life. Soon they were courting and after graduating and starting work in the accounting department of Memphis Light Gas & Water, he married Martha Ann Baker in April of 1950. Dick worked at MLG&W for 33 years becoming a CPA and retiring as Secretary/ Treasurer and then worked as a Vice President of sales for Loomis Sayles & Company in Memphis and Washington D.C. for the next 11 years. While a young man at MLG&W Dick served his country in Korea as an Army Sergeant in the Korean Conflict.
Dick was a man of faith and integrity who was respected, loved and admired by everyone who knew him. He was an active member of Colonial Park United Methodist Church and later Collierville United Methodist Church. In addition he was actively involved in both the Memphis and East Memphis Civitan Clubs. After retirement Dick continued his involvement in the Collierville Civitan Club and served on the MLG&W Retirees Pension Board as well as the Town of Collierville Pension Board. Dick enjoyed hunting and fishing as a young man which later gave way to his lifelong passion with golf.
Along with his parents Dick was also preceded in death by his brother & sister-in-law Charles “Bub” & Nellie Gardiner; and his daughter-in-law Vera Coradini Gardiner.
Surviving is his blessed wife of 70 years Martha Ann Baker Gardiner of Memphis; son Ken Gardiner and his wife Connie of Camden, Maine; grandson Matthew Gardiner and wife Kristin of Covington, Tennessee; grandson Andy Gardiner of Portland, Maine; granddaughter Megan Gardiner of Camden, Maine; step-grandson Tom Libby of Camden, Maine; great-granddaughters Brooklyn and Lillian Gardiner of Covington, Tennessee; two nephews Clayton Gardiner and wife Kathy of Lignum, Virginia and Clifton Gardiner and wife Tamara of Water Valley, Mississippi and their extended families. Dick leaves many cousins and in-laws and friends who were all loved and special to him.
Dick was a wonderful husband, Daddy, Pa and “Uncle Dick” to his family and has gone home with the Lord. His life will be celebrated by the family privately due to COVID precautions, but you are encouraged to celebrate life and family each day.
In lieu of flowers, if you choose to do so, memorial gifts may be made to: Collierville United Methodist Church, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be expressed through www.memphisfuneralpoplar.com.