James Gardner

James Bell Gardner III "Jim" SERRILLS FORD - James "Jim" Bell Gardner III, 77, of Sherrills Ford died August 11, 2015. He had bravely suffered years of health challenges. He was born in Portsmouth, Ohio August 28, 1937, son of the late James Bell Gardner II and Helen Gilbert Gardner. He was preceded in death by his beloved brother Robert, "Bob" Gardner, and a wife, Judith Utz Gardner. A fierce football player from grade school on, he was awarded a scholarship to Duke where he played offensive tackle and defensive middle guard. Among his many fond football memories were playing in the Orange Bowl and being selected to four First all-star teams, all-American selected from Methodist Colleges, all-Atlantic Coast Conference, all-North Carolina, and Honorable Mention on The Associated Press all-American squad. Upon graduation he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns where he remained for 3½years. In 1994 he endowed an Iron Duke Scholarship Fund. After several business careers including transportation and car care, he started a race team that competed in the Arca and Busch Series of Nascar. He is survived by wife Joan, "Joanie" Gardner, stepson Morgan Lane and wife Malinda of Sherrills Ford, stepdaughter, Lydia Morgan and husband Kevin of Minneapolis MN. He had three precious granddaughters, Camilla, Vivi, and Lena, ages 6, 5, and 3. A memorial service will be Held at Rehobeth United Methodist Church in Terrell on Saturday August 22, at 11:30 AM. The family will receive friends at the home following the service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Sherrills Ford/Terrell Friends of the Library, 9154 Sherrills Ford Rd., Terrell, NC 28682, Rehobeth UMC Building Fund, PO Box 356, Terrell, NC 28682, or The James B. Gardner III Athletic Endowment Fund at Duke, PO Box 90581, Durham, NC 27708-0581 Condolences may be sent to the Gardner family at www.bennettfuneralservice.com The Gardner family is in the care of Bennett Funeral Service of Conover, 828-465-2111.