Clyde Gardner

Clyde J. Gardner, 88, of Bermuda Run, died in his home on July 5, 2018. He lived out his life's motto, "with faith and family anything is possible." Lovingly referred to, by his family, as "King" he lifted up those who loved him. His larger than life presence was felt not only by his physical stature when he entered a room or when he reached his arms around you, but also when he listened to you as though you were the only person there. Born February 26, 1930 in Newton, Iowa to Clyde Gardner, Sr. and Jenny Evelyn Botsford-Gardner, Clyde J. Gardner was one of six children. He is preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Jenny; siblings, Claudine Allen, Marjorie Sents, Evelyn Owens, John Gardner; stepmother, Ruth Gardner; stepbrother, Bob Rooney, and grandson, Andrew Joseph Gardner. Clyde was a four-year letterman from the University of Iowa where he was a member of the men's track and football teams. Clyde held the national and world high school record for discus throw at 179-2.75 from 1949 until 1963 when the grandson of a college friend broke his record. He met Sherry Reichardt, "his pretty girl," in the Spring of 1949. On a cold afternoon before Christmas 1950, he confessed to her, "I haven't asked anyone's permission, but I think I'd like you to be my wife and the mother of my children." One year later, on December 1, 1951, he married the love of his life in St. Mary's Church in Iowa City, IA. While in college he worked for the A&P Grocery Store as the assistant Manager and The Great Lakes Pipeline. After college Clyde accepted a position with W.R. Grace & Company where he worked for 30+ years as a salesman in the packaging industry, often being the top salesman. In 1992 he earned Salesman of the Year and was awarded the Sterling Trophy. As his job moved him from Iowa to Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas and finally to North Carolina one of the great joys in his life was to coach Little League football, making a difference in many young men's lives. After retirement, he and Sherry dedicated their lives to serving their community through establishing civic and spiritual communities and providing hospice care. In 1999 he helped incorporate and establish the town of Bermuda Run, NC where he was the town's first mayor. Clyde and Sherry were also founding members of Holy Family Catholic Church in Clemmons, NC. The joy of his life was his family and the time he shared with his entire family. Writing his own story, he gifted his bride a "Christmas in July" celebration by bringing together all of their children for a summer family vacation at Ocean Isle Beach, NC. Each year for the past four decades since this tradition began, he looked forward to the annual "beach trip" where his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren gather. An avid golfer, he loved to travel. He and Sherry enjoyed trips to Scotland, Ireland, England and Italy, as well as cruises to Alaska, The Mediterranean, Hawaii, through the Panama Canal and an annual cruise to the Bahamas with their children. His legacy lives on through the family that Clyde and Sherry built: eight children, twenty grandchildren, and fifteen great-granchildren. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Sherry Gardner; his children: Susan (Doyle) Rankins of AR; Jeanne (Charles) McDarris of FL; Patricia (Alan) Canon of NC; Joseph Gardner of AR; Anne Peters (John Martin) of NC; John (Kyra) Gardner of NJ; Mary Fink of NC, and Sarah Shanks of NC; his grandchildren: Ellen (Jason) Rankins-Edwards, Sherry (Neely) Rankins-Robertson, Matthew (Jamie) Rankins, Ben (Tricia) Canon, Sarah (Jim) Canon-Goff, Garret Gardner, Reed (Zoe) Gardner, Elizabeth Peters, Margaret Peters, Alex Gardner, Nicholas Gardner, Mackenzie (Bryson) Gardner-Fonville, Nathan Fink, Daniel Fink, Chad Fink, Tessa Fink, David (Kayla) Shanks, Robert Shanks, and Katherine (Bryce) Shanks-Hood; his great-grandchildren: Jordan, Ethan, Madeline, John, Ethan, Molly, Olivia, Hayden, Drew, Evyn, Tyler, Boston, Hailey, Madison, and Jackson, sister, Harriet Irene Gardner Morgan. He leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, and loving friends. The family will receive friends from 3:00 until 5:00 P.M. on Sunday, July 8, 2018 at Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel. A funeral mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church on Monday, July 9, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Peter Nouck officiating. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at New Hanover Medical Center in Wilmington, NC for their excellent care. Additionally, they are grateful for the love and support from their communities of Bermuda Run and Holy Family Catholic Church. The family asks in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, Brenner Children's Hospital, 1 Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157 or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made to www.hayworth-miller.com.

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