David Gardner

David Edward Gardner, age 52, of Margate, FL died Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at University Hospital in Tamarac, Fl. He was born December 7, 1955 in Baltimore, MD, the son of George and Joan (Kellenberger) Gardner. David lived in Harmans, MD until the age of nine. His family joined Wycliffe Bible Translators as missionaries in 1965 and lived in Lomalinda, Columbia until he went to college in Texas. He studied at Dallas Bible College, then also at SIL in Dallas and studied three years at Le Tourmeau University. David married Rebecca Murk May 28, 1978 and they lived in St Charles, IL for 10 years. He started an air charter business – Gardner Express, also known as JODA Management. In 1988 David joined Mission Aviation Fellowship as a short term missionary pilot based in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. His place of residence was Margate, FL until his death. From 1989 to 1990, David was a 727 pilot for Eastern Airlines. From 1991 to 1995, he worked as a pilot and mechanic for Aero Flight Service. From 1995 to 1996, he was a pilot for Intermed Air Ambulance. From October 1996 until his diagnosis of cancer in August 2007, he was a commercial pilot on the 727 and 737 for Miami Air International, a premier charter company. David loved baseball and played with a recreational team (Federal League) with his son Joshua, for several years. He also loved deer hunting and fishing, especially with his father and brothers. In his last year during the fight with cancer, being housebound, he started a new hobby in gardening, mostly tomatoes. In addition to his parents and wife, David is survived by his children Jessica (Ken) Olson of New Auburn, WI, Jewel (Jim) Hanson of Central, SC, Joshua, Jamie, Jeremiah and Joy Gardner of Margate, FL and Joanna Gardner of Gainesville, FL, sister Brenda Jackson of Little Elm, TX, brothers Tom Gardner of Dayton, TN and Glenn Gardner of Springfield, MO, and grandchildren Anastasia Olsen of Central, SC and soon to be born Katherine Marie Hanson. Graveside services for David will be held Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 5:00 pm in Rhea Memory Gardens in Dayton, TN with Dr. Doug Russell officiating. The family is being served by the Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton where they will receive friends Saturday after 3:00 pm. A memorial service will be held Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 7:00 pm at the Calvary Chapel in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. A memorial fund has been established for David’s children c/o Rebecca Gardner 6580 SW 7 Street Margate, FL 33068 Please share your memories of David on his on-line guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com.

David Gardner

December 7, 1955 - October 22, 2008