Joseph Gardner

Joseph Stephen Gardner, 86, of Kerrville, Texas died on October 19, 2006 at his residence.Joe was born in San Marcos, Texas on August 14, 1920. He was raised in Waco, Texas, and graduated from Waco High School in 1937. He attended Texas AM College for two years and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1942, being commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Marine Corps.He served in the U.S. Marines for twenty years, retiring in 1962 as a Lieutenant Colonel. During his 20 years as a Marine officer, he saw service in three wars World War II, the Korean Conflict, and Vietnam. Beside the war duty, he served in China, Guam, the U.S. Naval Academy Quantico and Norfolk, Virginia, Camp Pendleton, California, Pearl City, Hawaii, and Camp LeJeune, North Carolina. During his military career he was awarded the Bronze Star, Navy Letter of Commendation, the Purple Heart, and numerous other decorations.On February 10, 1945, he married Gayly Milling in Waco. He is survived by his wife two daughters, Gayly Gardner Opem of Chicago, Illinois, and Janie Gardner Hueston of Allen, Texas and two grandchildren, Meranda Heuston of Lubbock, Texas and Allen Heuston of Allen, Texas.Upon retiring from the Marines he accepted the position of Commandant of Cadets at the Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Missouri. He later taught mathematics in the Mexico Senior High School until 1980, when he moved to Kerrville, Texas.Joe was a member of the Kerrville Kiwanis Club and the Kerrville Chapter of the American Red Cross. In Freemasonry he served as Master of the Hebron Lodge 354 in Mexico, Missouri, as head of all the York Rite Bodies, and as Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection in the Scottish Rite Bodies. He was a member of Kerrville Masonic Lodge 697 A.F. A.M., Alzafar Shrine Temple, and The Order of the Silver Trowel, Past Commanders Knights Templar, Order of the High Priesthood, Texian York Rite College, and a Knight of the York Cross of Honour.Memorial services for Joe will be held 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 21, 2006 at St. Peters Episcopal Church with the Rev. Stockton Williams officiating, assisted by the Rev. Alan B. Conley and the Rev. Tom Murray III.Memorials may be made to Shriners Childrens Hospital, P.O. Box 31356, Tampa, Florida 33631 Vistacare Hospice, 1001 Water Street, Kerrville, Texas 78028 or a charity of your choice.Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Kerrville Funeral Home.

---