James Gardner

James "Buddy' Gardner

Hattiesburg

James Edward "Buddy" Gardner died in his home early in the morning of December 29, 2014. He was 76 years old.

Buddy was born July 21, 1938 in Stateline, Mississippi, the son of, Ellis Lafitte Gardner and Eva Louise Gardner. He graduated from Jones County Junior College in 1958 and received a Bachelor's of Science and Master's Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.

In 1960, Buddy married his high school sweetheart, Ima Jo, both were educators, and Buddy worked as head football coach at both Kosciusko and Hattiesburg High Schools. He was the Assistant Principal at Petal High School in 1977 when he accepted the position of Job Trainee and Safety Director at South Mississippi Electric Power Association, which he would work until his retirement in 2001.

Buddy was an honest, disciplined, and good man who loved his family and instilled in them the Christian values he so dearly cherished. He loved gardening and being outdoors, and was perhaps most happy when he could be at his hunting camp in Buckatunna, Mississippi.

Buddy is survived by his wife, Ima Jo, of Hattiesburg; his daughter, Naomi Freeman of Flowood, MS; his daughter, Valerie Linn of Jackson, MS; his daughter, Jamie McNamara of Jackson, MS; his daughter, Jennifer Bishop of Mandeville, LA; his three sisters, Erma Ruth Brown of Foley, AL, Emma Lou Ruffin of Waynesboro, MS, and Eva Louise Chancelor of Stonewall, MS; and his 11 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Ellis Lafitte Gardner and Eva Louise Gardner, and brother and sister, John and Mary Ellis Gardener.

Visitation was Tuesday, December 30 from 5-7 PM and Wednesday,December 31 at 9:30 AM. The service will be Wednesday, December 31 at 10:30 AM at Hulett Winstead, 205 Bay Street in Hattiesburg.