John A. Gardner Sr.

John Albert Gardner, Sr. "Johnny," was born on July 4,1949 in Easton, Maryland, one of ten children born to Raymond and Alice Gardner. There he grew up until his family moved to Poolesville, Maryland and attended Poolesville Jr./Sr. High School, graduating in the year 1967. There he met his future wife Emily Weedon. After graduation, Johnny was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served his country honorably from 1969-1972.
Following his military service, he became very involved in his community by assisting with the Sunday School at St. Paul Community Church in Poolesville, MD. Johnny worked for a number of companies, but settled into his final career as a para-educator for Montgomery County Public Schools, which he would retired from in 2011. Johnny was always a role model and mentor for many children in the community. He was one of the original coaches for the JMH Firebirds track club, worked withe Mark Twain Satellite program at Walt Whitman High School and after retirement returned to Gaithersburg High School (where he once worked as a security guard in the 1970's) as a substitute teacher from 2016-2018. He helped motivate and encouraged many children, teens, and even adults.
Johnny is survived by Emily Gardner and his children Troy Gradner, John Gradner, Jr., and Kimberly Moore (son-in-law Graham), and his granddaughter Mikayla Moore.

A celebration of life will be held on May 10, 2025 from 11:30am-2:30pm at Meadowbrook Park Activity Building, 7901 Meadowbrook Lane, Chevy Chase, MD 20815. Light Refreshments will be served.