Clarence Gardner Jr.

Clarence Gardner Jr., age 90, passed away, Saturday, January 27, 2024, at his home in Hodgenville surrounded by his family.

He served in the Army for 5 years, three in active duty and two in the National Guard. He retired after 25 years with Kerns Bread and worked 20 more years as “J.R.” the greeter at Elizabethtown Walmart. Junior loved to sing, he frequently led the singing at Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, he also taught men’s Sunday School class for many years. Junior sang with several gospel quartets most recently being the Friends Quartet. He also enjoyed fishing, sharing wisdom with his grandchildren and playing pool with his buddies; Junior was known for his quick wit and friendliness to everyone he met. He loved his family, his Jesus and his Church.

Junior was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Sarah Salsman Gardner; a sister, Hazel Hodges; four brothers, Andrew, Ruben, Durred and Leo Gardner; a son-in-law, Jerry Rucker and a great-granddaughter, Evelyn Davis.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Anita DeSpain Gardner; two daughters, Debbie Rucker and Gwen (Kevin) McCubbin and a son, Steve (Dianne) Gardner all of Hodgenville; two sisters, Edna (Rev. Handley) Milby of Mt. Sherman and Shirley Jones of Hodgenville; a brother, Arlie Gardner of Hodgenville; five grandchildren, Emily Gardner, Brian (Melissa) Rucker, Amy (Brian) Dudgeon, Nathan (Tara) Rucker and Kelsey (Danny) Davis; six great-grandchildren, Zachary, Braxton, Shelby, Scarlett, Emory and Maria.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at Bennett-Bertram Funeral Home in Hodgenville with Bro. Steve Skaggs, Bro. David Fortner and Bro. Billy Whitlock officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Tabor Church Cemetery.

Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Monday and continue after 9 a.m. Tuesday morning at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, family request donations to Mt. Tabor Baptist Church or the Gideons and can be made at the funeral home.

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