Sammy Ray Gardner, age 62, of Lake Brownwood died at the V. A. Hospital in Temple following a lengthy illness.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Monday in the Heartland Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Kelly Crenshaw officiating. His body will be cremated following the services and later interred in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 – 8 PM on Sunday at the funeral home.
He was born April 7, 1949 in Stamford, Texas the son of the late Roy and Gladys Pritchard Gardner. He graduated from the Bangs High School and later received his Bachelor’s degree from Tarleton State College. He served with the 101st Airborne Unit of the U. S. Army during the Viet Nam Conflict.
He later returned to teach at the Bangs Jr. High School as an instructor of Math, Keyboard, and Science. Following his retirement from teaching, he worked at the Texas State Park at Lake Brownwood until his retirement again. He was a member of New Beginnings Church in Brownwood.
He had many life-long friends of whom he cherished greatly and had a tremendous love for his children and grandchildren. He loved the outdoors and especially fishing and riding motorcycles.
He was married to Tracy Henry on November 16, 1996 and had lived at Lake Brownwood for the past 7 years moving from Bangs.
He is survived by his wife, Tracy Gardner of Lake Brownwood
Daughters – Kelly Etheredge of Roscoe
Sara Jo Newton of Lake Brownwood
Stepdaughters – Amanda Schwartz of Stephenville
Misty Esqueda of California
Step-son – Jackie Wagner of Austin
10 Grandchildren
Sister – Sis Gardner of Aspermont
He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 Brothers, Samuel Kenneth Gardner and Billy Roy Gardner.