Gary Orvall Gardner (Tulia)

Tulia, Texas-Gary Gardner, 75, passed away on September 20, 2021 in Vigo Park, Texas. A visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Thursday, September 23, 2021 and funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday September 24, 2021, both at the Vigo Park Community Church. Burial will follow at the Vigo Park Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Tulia, Texas.

Gary was born in Tulia, Texas on February 3, 1946 to Hazel Marie and Orvall West Gardner.

After graduating from Tulia High School, he served three years in the United States Army as a tank sergeant in Munich, Germany. After discharge, he joined the Texas Highway Patrol and served in Canadian, Texas where he met Darlene Gibson. They married on March 7, 1970.

They moved to Vigo Park where, over the next fifty years, he farmed, operated a well service, an aerial spraying service, a custom combining operation, and a welding shop. He was also a founding member of the Vigo Park Volunteer Fire Department. He is best known for his tireless work in the late 90’s to expose a corrupt drug informant and get justice for those citizens of Tulia who were affected.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his son; Charles Robert Gardner, his brother; Earl Lyndon Gardner; his sister; Myrla Sue Gardner, and his sisters-in-law; Jo Beth Gardner and Diane Gardner Wright.

He is survived by his sister; Becky Bivens and husband Ronald, his brother; Dan Gardner all of Vigo Park, his sons; Craig Gardner and wife Amy of Caldwell, TX, Hollister Gardner and Charles Orval Collins both of Lubbock, TX, his daughters; Kimber Gardner of Mansfield, TX and Sarah Sanders and husband Michael of Benbrook, TX. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Burgundy, Kylie, Mitchell, Cordell and Zane Gardner of Caldwell, TX and Charlotte and Bennett Sanders of Benbrook.

Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice or the Vigo Park Volunteer Fire Department, 8909 FM 146, Tulia, Texas 79088.

Online condolences can be made at www.kornerstonefunerals.com