GARY GARDNER

1952 - 2021

GARY THOMAS GARDNER  
Gary Thomas Gardner passed away on July 3, 2021, at his home in Germantown, Maryland. Born on March 7, 1952, in Takoma Park, MD, he was the son of Nancy (Harrison) and George Dewey Gardner, Jr. He and his wife, Linda Kay Adams Gardner, celebrated their 23rd anniversary on June 6, 2021.Gary retired after working at Top Down Systems Corporation for 20 years as their Senior Network and Database Administrator and IT Helpdesk leader. He was the go-to person for everyone who required help in the office, all of whom became part of the Gardner extended family. Before that, he was the ALGS Administrator and Systems Programmer for 16 years at the National Geographic Society, and worked at Harry's camera shop in Frederick in 1981. He was a US Air Force Veteran, serving as an Aircraft Control and Warning Operator from 1971 to 1979.Gary loved watching nature, playing and watching golf, teaching kids and grandkids life lessons, drinking wine, bowling, and just spending time with family and friends. He touched so many with his positive attitude, charm, smart wit, and personality. He took the time to listen, and only offered advice when asked. He took the time to explain things in ways even the grandchildren could understand. He liked to talk about riding in the back of his granddad's truck as a kid, and about trips to his family's cabin in Elk Ridge Lake, Maryland.Preceded in death by his parents, George and Nancy Gardner and his grandson, Luke Andrew (January 26, 2019); he is survived by his loving wife, Linda; sons, Michael (Sarah) of Waynesboro, PA; Robert of Germantown, MD; daughters: Dawn Marie (Rene) of Odenton, MD; Jennifer Hayden (Dennis) of Laurel, DE, and Barbara Nicole of Germantown, MD; and grandchildren: Michael, Emma, William, Ella, Gabriella, Isaiah, Abel, Nevaeh and Ariyanna. Other family members include sister, Diane Matlock (Mike); brothers: John Gardner (Karen) and Scot Gardner; sister/brother-in-law(s): Richard Adams (Charlien), Eugene Adams, and Pamela Dodge (Brian), aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.Services will be held on Friday, July 16, 2021, at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 17740 Muncaster Rd., Derwood, MD 20855. Visitation at 10 a.m., service at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a scholarship fund that will be set up in Gary's name. He will be sadly missed by all, but let his memory comfort you, knowing he is in a better place, and will meet you again.