Jeffery Ralph Gardner

Thinking of the Gardner's this holiday season. Jeff was all about family and brining people together, family first was a priority for Jeff and Chris and that is so admirable. I can only imagine that you miss him at this time and I hope this message finds you all well, remember the good times and what a great person Jeff was! Miss you all ~ The McCann's.

Jeff and I were classmates at Morton. We ran in different athletic circles, but all the athletes at Morton were close. His ever-present enthusiasm was infectious.

The time spent working for Jeff at Windstream was amongst the most challenging and rewarding of my life. Jeff gave me the confidence to succeed. My family and I are indebted to a great kind person. Our condolences to family and closer friends on their sad loss.

My family and I got to know Jeff, Chris and the boys over the years the three boys competed in the Darlington School Soccer Academy. Jeff and Chris as supportive parents never missed an opportunity to see their boys play and compete at the top levels of club soccer. Jeff and his wife Chris were incredibly supportive parents and passionate fans at Blake, Brody and Brock´s schools during their years of education. The Liddle family cherished our time with such an incredible, generous and passionate man in Jeff Gardner. His love for his family was shown every time he came to Darlington. Words can not express the gratitude I feel for the time spent with Jeff Gardner and the loving example he set as a father and family man. The Gardner family blessed Darlington with choosing us as the high school and soccer program for the three boys. It was a great honor to be allowed to coach and hopefully mentor Jeff and Chris´s most cherished 3 boys. Honored to have known Jeff and have the Gardner family be a Darlington Soccer Academy family forever. Thank you Jeff for entrusting us to help mentor your three boys. We are blessed to have been a part of your family, you are missed terribly. May you rest easy my friend.
Chad A Liddle

My first entry was rushed and I want to say more. I was working with the boys at school in Georgia and Jeff once told me that the boys were his most precious commodity and that family was everything to him. I really admired that about him how we was all about family. We had some great times following the boys playing soccer and watched together on the sidelines. I miss him, he was always a lot of fun to hang out with and maybe this is my way of grieving the loss of my friend or my way of saying goodbye. Either way JRG was a one of a kind and I was fortunate enough to spend quality time with him.

This short piece will not do justice to how strongly I feel about this man. A better family man you will not have found. Dedicated to his Chris and the boys and just the most generous person you would meet while making the boys tow the line to success in whatever they were doing. What a great friend to my family, my boys, and my wife. In one of the darkest moments of my life Jeff had my back, full and completely. Jeff was one of a kind, unique, super smart, funny, outgoing, oved sports and seeing the boys have a good time. Made money but was so very generous with others. My family was fortunate enough to spend precious time with him, call him friend, and enjoy his company. In life and death I will be your friend forever. Love you man.

Tim

Words cannot express the impact JRG and his family have had on the McCann family. Jeff was kind, generous, fiercely competitive, driven and one could always count on a few memory making experiences in his presence. We feel privileged to have been trusted with his boys, welcomed into his circle and for the many memories we share with the Gardner family. He will be missed and it is hard to imagine a world without JRG!

What an incredible leader! He was the one boss of my 27 year telecommunications career that taught me the most. Eternally grateful.
To his family sending prayers and sympathy for you loss.
Linda A.Crawford


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Christine, Ralph,Kim, Jason and Eric, i am so sorry for your loss. I am still in shock. Jeff was my best friend growing up in Hessville. We played baseball, basketball, street hockey and touch football in the neighborhood. He was very competitive, lol. He was someone you could always count on and was like a brother to me. Many good memories of staying the night and hanging out. I am so honored to know him and proud of all his accomplishments. The last time i saw him was at our 25th reunion. We went together and out to eat that evening. The next dsy we went to see Joan as i hadn't seen her since we were kids. I will pray for your family for comfort. Just know i think of him often and still have a pucture of us. Chritine, you have a beautiful family and i will. pray for you and your boys.

From all of us, we wish to offer our sincerest sympathies. We all have great memories of growing up together.

So sorry to be so late in responding, but had to sort this out in my mind. My deepest sympathy to all of you. My heart is hurting to think that you will never see that precious smile and loving kindness again. So happy for the man he became, which he had planned for his life, when he was but a young boy.
Such determination, he trained hard to be a good runner, which helped him focus on what was important to him being the man and father that he was.. Needless to say the son that I know his parents were very proud of... the loving brother to his siblings and their children. He will be greatly missed, but left you all with a loving legacy... Prayers for all. With love The Downing's on Robin Hood Lane

So sorry to be so late in responding, but had to sort this out in my mind. My deepest sympathy to all of you. My heart is hurting to think that you will never see that precious smile and loving kindness again. So happy for the man he became, which he had planned for his life, when he was but a young boy.
Such determination,he trained hard to be a good runner, which helped him focus on what was important to him being the man and father that he was.. Needless to say the son that I know his parents were very proud of... the loving brother to his siblings and their children. He will be greatly missed, but left you all with a loving legacy...Prayers for all. With love The Downing's on Robin Hood Lane

A good man gone much too soon. Morton Class of 1978.

Ralph, Kim, Eric and all his Family. My deepest condolences. Very hard to believe, too young.

We were buddies through Grade, Middle, and High School. Great memories. I wish we would have been in contact more. It's been over a year since our last correspondence. Been thinking about contacting him, now I can't.

All my love to you all.

So sorry Kim for your loss and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family

Farewell cousin. We didn't get to see you much these last several years, but the times together we did have and growing up together are treasured memories. Sending love and prayers to all the family.

Our sympathy for Jeff's loved ones. We have fond memories of Jeff in high school. Rest in peace.

Oh my heart is broken for Jeff´s family. Jeff was a great friend and classmate. He excelled in everything he did. Will miss you my friend.