Thomas Gardner, Sr.

Mr. Thomas J. Gardner, Sr. age 90. Born in Thomasville, North Carolina to Arthur & Georgie Gardner, Sr. He served in the U.S. Army during 1946 - 1948, where he was stationed in Japan. Mr. Gardner married his beloved wife, Peggy, on August 31, 1946 in High Point, North Carolina. During their marriage, they lived in North Carolina, Atlanta, Georgia, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama. He left North Carolina to accept a Cemetery Sales Manager position with Southeastern Advertising and Sales System (SASS), where he traveled multiple states hiring Sales Managers and Sales Personnel for cemeteries that were contracted with SASS. In 1968, they moved from Atlanta, Georgia to New Orleans, Louisiana where he accepted a position with Frank Stewart of Stewart Enterprises. He worked as National Sales Director, and Vice President and served on the Board of Directors. After many years serving as National Sales Director, he changed positions to build and increase sales in the New Orleans, LA market. With all positions, he enjoyed tremendous success. That success spring-boarded him to being elected President of the Louisiana Cemetery Association, a few years later he was elected President of The Southern Cemetery Association. In 1985 he was elected President of American Cemetery Association which is the highest elected position that one in the Cemetery profession can reach. While serving as President of ACA, he was asked to address the National Funeral Directors Association Conference. That made Tommy the first person from the cemetery industry asked to speak at the conference.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur & Georgie Gardner, Sr.; son, Mike Gardner; brother, Frank Gardner, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Peggy Gardner; son, Tom (Tracy) Gardner; grandchildren, Tommy (Anna) Gardner, Jennifer (Patrick) McGinnis; Step children, Andrew and Meghan Murrill; great grandchild, Lauren Gardner; step great grandchildren, Braylen, Bentley , Camden; mother of his grandchildren and who was always thought of as a daughter, Eileen Martin Gardner. Tommy enjoyed reading his Bible, playing golf, tennis, fishing, and cheering on the New Orleans Saint's and Alabama football teams while eating his favorite snack of popcorn. Tommy also loved to sing to the love of his life, Peggy. The family would like to express a special thank you to the St. Joseph's Hospice team, Laura and Rev. Bob Barr. Also, a thank you to Tommy's caregivers; Theria, Sheila, Tina, Gloria, Tonya, Eula, Carrie, Angela, Brittany, Whitney, and Yolanda.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at 2pm from the chapel of Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on Saturday 12 noon until 2 pm. Entombment will be in Mobile Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer's Association.

Visitation

Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home
6040 Three-Notch Road
Mobile, AL  36619
Saturday, September 9, 2017
12 - 2:00 PM

Service

Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home
6040 Three-Notch Road
Mobile, AL  36619
Saturday, September 9, 2017
12:00 Noon

Cemetery

Mobile Memorial Gardens Mausoleum
6100 Three-Notch Road
Mobile, AL  36619

Memorial Contributions

Alzheimer's Foundation of the South
5644 Girby Road
Mobile, AL  36693