James Alan Gardner

Dr. James Alan Gardner (Jim), 78, of Leander, Texas, passed away on December 5th, 2025, surrounded by his family after a lengthy battle with melanoma.

Jim was born on March 14, 1947 in Terre Haute, Indiana, the son of Donald Gardner and Thelma (Powell) Gardner.

He graduated from Terre Haute High School in 1965, then went on to the Indiana University, earning a bachelors degree in Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1970. At North Carolina State University, he got a Master of Science in Human Factors Engineering in 1972. He continued his education at North Carolina State University and earned his PhD in Human Factors Engineering in 1974.

On March 17, 1984, Jim married the love of his life Greta (Gregorio) Gardner in West Covina, California. They were married for 41 years and raised a blended family of four children together; moving from California to New Jersey and then to Texas.

He worked for multiple companies including Honeywell, Developmental Sciences Corporation, Allied Signal, Kearfott Guidance and Navigation, and Zebra Imaging. At Honeywell he was Marketing Manager and Manager of Advanced Training Systems Marketing. At Developmental Sciences Corp, he was Vice President of Business Development and Programs. At Allied Signal, he was Vice President of International Business Development. At Kearfott, he was Corporate Vice President of Business Development and Management. Zebra Imaging was the Vice President of Marketing for Government Programs. He retired in February of 2013.

Throughout his life, Jim enthusiastically pursued a wide variety of hobbies. He was an avid coin collector, stamp collector, and in most recent years, he took up screenwriting. He always enjoyed going to the movies and in his younger years he enjoyed radio broadcasting, hiking, and spelunking. He also enjoyed the live country music that pervades the Austin area.

Jim was a man of strong faith and from 2001-2004 Jim was an Elder at Sparta Evangelical Free Church in Sparta, NJ. After moving to Austin, TX, he was a regular attender of Grace Covenant Church until 2013. Although they moved further north of Austin, they would still consider Grace Covenant Church their church home and would try to attend regularly.

Jim will be remembered for his sense of humor, kindness, generosity, and joy. He never met a stranger and instantly welcomed everyone into his life and his home. He cared deeply for his family and friends and had many lifelong and deep friendships.



Jim is survived by his wife Greta; children, Jackie (Michael) McKindley, Andy Gardner, Keith (Lisa) Gardner, and Eric Gardner; grandchildren, Taylor and Brandon McKindley, Levi, Charis, and Ezra Gardner, and Graysen and Evelyn Gardner and their brother Brandon Cotton; brother Fred Gardner; nephew and niece, Frank and Serena Gardner.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Gardner, Thelma (Powell) Gardner/Hinkle; Russell Hinkle; and Sister-in-law Petronella (Ruckel) Gardner.

A Memorial Service will be held at Yetter Hall, VFW Post 10427, on Saturday, December 27 from 1-3PM. Please feel free to join us in celebrating Jim anytime during the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to James P. Allison Institute at MD Anderson Cancer Center.