Ronald D. Gardner, 81, passed away Wednesday, August 2, 2023. Services to honor his life will take place at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, August 12, 2023, at Lake Shore Church of Christ with Ernie Christie officiating. The burial will follow at Hamilton Cemetery. Visitation will be 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, August 11, 2023, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home in Waco, Texas.
Ronald was born March 21, 1942, in Hamilton, Texas, to Price and Rowena Gardner and grew up on the family farm where he learned the importance of hard work. He had a love for anything outdoors, from farming and gardening to hunting and fishing. If he wasn’t on the tractor, you could probably find him down at the creek drowning a worm.
In 1964, at the age of 21, Ronald joined the Army National Guard, and he spent six years during the Vietnam War serving his country, stateside. He was honorably discharged from 3rd Battalion 112th Armor in 1970 at the rank of Sergeant.
In 1969, a family friend introduced Ronald to his love and future wife, Delores. They married a year later, bought a house, and decided to settle in Fort Worth, Texas. Ronald then began his career at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and soon after they started their family together. Their first son, Brian, was born in 1971, followed by their middle son, Trent, in 1975 and their youngest son, Greg, was born in 1981. Ronald and Delores remained in Fort Worth for 36 years where they raised their family.
Ronald retired in 2005 from TxDOT after 35 years of service. His dream of having his own piece of land in the country was finally achieved when they moved to China Spring in 2006. He had a large garden, fruit trees, and a workshop where he could spend his days doing what he loved. He always had a garden full of vegetables and a shop full of woodworking projects.
Ronald and Delores were married for 53 years. He lived his life as a loving husband, father, and was a shining example of values and ethics to others. He cherished spending time with family, especially his grandchildren. Ronald was always quick to offer help to anyone in need, family, friend, or neighbor alike. His loving presence will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Price and Rowena Gardner; and his brothers, Jerald and Paul “Skeet” Gardner.
He is survived by his wife Delores; sons, Brian and his wife Catherine, Trent and his wife Susan, Greg and his wife April; siblings, Linda Gardner (wife of Jerald), Lloyda Gardner (wife of Skeet), Shirley and her husband Eugene Massingill, and Dale Gardner; and grandchildren, Megan, Brice, Lane, Caleb, Collin, Hayden, Peyton, Emily, and Luke.
Pallbearers are Vennie Gardner, Darrell Gardner, Mark Massingill, Brice Gardner, Lane Gardner, Caleb Gardner, Collin Gardner, Hayden Gardner, Peyton Gardner, and Luke Gardner.
Memorials may be made for pancreatic cancer research at https://lustgarten.org or to Waco Hospice at Community Healthcare of Texas 6700 Sanger Ave Waco, TX 76710.
The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our "Tribute Wall" at www.WHBfamily.com.
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