James Harrison Gardner

Rev. James Harrison Gardner, age 78, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at his home in Sale Creek. He was born January 1, 1931 in St. Paul, MN, the son of the late Edward Harrison Gardner and Dorothy (Thomas) Gardner. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Florence (Becker) Gardner, his infant son, Samuel Gardner, and his brother Edward Gardner who was killed in WWII.

Rev. Gardner was a graduate of Michigan State University and Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, IN and received an Honorary Doctorate from Great Plains Baptist Divinity School in Sioux Falls, SD. He also served his country with the USAF. Jim lived in Indiana many years and was the pastor of Bell Center Bible Church in Burnettsville, IN from 1961-1983. Moving to Chattanooga, he then founded Amazing Grace Mission. For the past 16 years he lived in Sale Creek and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Red Bank.

He is survived by his six sons, James (Betty) Gardner of Tampa, FL, Daniel (Martha) Gardner and Tim (Jackie) Gardner both of Chattanooga, David (Margie) Gardner of Flintstone, GA, and John (Paula) Gardner and Tom Gardner both of Sale Creek. Jim is also survived by his sister, Mary Jane Gardner of Cassopolis, MI, his brother, Fred (Irene) Gardner of Elkhart, IN, fourteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Rev. Gardner will be held Saturday morning at 11:00am with Rev. Charles Fluckey and Rev. Steve Roberson officiating. Burial, with military honors, will be in Rhea Memory Gardens followed by a white dove release.

The family is being served by the Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, TN where they will receive friends Friday from 5:00pm until 8:00pm.

Please share your memories of Rev. Gardner on his on-line guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com .