Share this Tribute
Let the family know you care by sharing this tribute.
JIM GARDNER
MIDWEST CITY – Lt. Colonel (USAF – Retired) Jim Gardner passed away on April 1, 2021 at 88. He was born in Philadelphia, Mississippi on April 18, 1932 to Ross and Dora Gardner and attended a one room school house with a graduating class of 4. He was a sharecropper’s son who learned at an early age the meaning of hard work. As a child, he would lean on a hoe handle and watch planes fly over saying that one day he was going to fly a plane. His dream came true when he enlisted in the US Air Force in 1953. While attending pilot training at Vance AFB in Enid, OK, another dream came true when he met the love of his life, Marjorie Ann (Perkins) Gardner (from Fairview, OK) on a blind date. For him, it was love at first sight. They were married on October 30, 1955.
He flew C-124s, C-141s and ended his career as one of the first C-5 Pilots in the country. He was fortunate to have been stationed at Tinker AFB, transferred to Charleston AFB in the 60s and retired in 1972, where he returned to Tinker to work as a civil servant. He flew rescue helicopters in Vietnam and received the Bronze Star for heroic achievement. He loved to say “How many people can say that they have flown around the world 2 times and been to the Neshoba County Fair?”
Jim loved to work with Margie in the yard and garden, and they received Midwest City’s “Yard of the Month” Award. He also loved camping, boating and fishing. He was a proud member of Midwest Boulevard Christian Church. He was most excited to decorate for Halloween and Christmas and climbed on the roof to do so well into his eighties. His Grandkids and Great Grandkids were his greatest joy. He and Margie loved to watch movies, sharing a love of Saturday matinees from their childhoods. He loved all war movies and westerns, especially John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and the Three Stooges.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Margie, and his mother, father and brother, Jack. He is survived by three children, Kathy Lollar, Jimmy (Debbie) Gardner, and Cindy (Deanie) Gardner; four grandchildren, Stephanie (Heath) Webb, Hannah (Jesse) Waddell, Joey Lollar and Tanner Gardner; and two great-grandchildren, Payton and Adelyn Webb. He is also survived by his beloved cat buddy, Pistol Pete.
The family will arrange a graveside service at a later date.
The family would appreciate hearing stories/memories so please leave one below.
Dena says
Cindy, thinking of you and yours during this difficult time. It’s an unwelcome but inevitable club we all join. Sending healing and joy filled memories to you.
Nell Reed says
Years ago our Lydia Guild group of the Christian Women’s Fellowship would always have our Christmas meeting at Margie’s house because she loved to have us. Their home was always beautifully decorated and we exchanged small gifts with each other. One Christmas when we met, she had poinsettias in lots of different colors. Jim had gone out and bought them all for her and us to enjoy. Jerry and I both enjoyed working with Margie and Jim at Christmas for Others. They were both wonderful people and a pleasure to be around. We extend our sympathy to their children and other remaining family members.
Nell and Jerry Reed
ann warzyn says
Jim and Margie were two of my longest and dearest friends. We first met as neighbors next door in base housing, both USAF. We bonded a friendship since 1959, lasting over the years. In later years, we didn’t see each other as often, but always knowing our friendship remained.
My memory of Jim, he was the initial “baby whisperer”. He loved babies and they loved him. He said what he believed, and was true to that. He was thoughtful and kind, and was devoted to Margie and their children, and on. He has completed his journey, a life well lived, Margie is waiting.
Robert Thomas says
Jim Gardner was my first cousin but more than that he was my friend. He was always a gentleman and a strong Christian. Whenever he could he would come “home” to Philadelphia to visit family. Jim was loved by us all and will be missed but we are all better because we knew and loved him. Robert Thomas
Helen Blalock says
I was saddened when I received the message that Jim had passed away. In the immediate Thomas family were fourteen (14) first cousins. Eight (8) are still living. In recent years we
did not get to visit often but we all enjoyed and cherished the times when Jim would come to Mississippi for a visit.Our love and sympathy to the family and to Jim ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS ..- Helen Thomas Blalock – Clinton, Mississippi