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James Kenneth Gardner, died peacefully after a lengthy illness on Aug. 30, 2007. Funeral services were held Sept. 2, at the First United Methodist Church in Hamilton.
A native of Blue Ridge, Mr. Gardner was a life-long resident of Hamilton County. Answering his country's call in 1942, he volunteered for service as a crew member and flew 60 combat missions with the Fighting Five on B-24 bombers based in Rabaul and Port Moresby, New Guinea. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for valor in action.
Returning after the war, he was married to Sue Riley of Hamilton, where they made their home and raised their children, Jim, Jayne, and Bob.
He was active in many businesses, most notably Riley Funeral Home and Riley-Gardner Memorial Company.
Mr. Gardner was a community leader most significantly as a board member of Hamilton General Hospital and the Harris Healthcare System. He served his local community in many ways and was chosen Citizen of the Year in 1985. He was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife of Hamilton; a brother, Bobby of Tennessee; a sister, Estelle of North Carolina; a son, Jim Gardner and his wife, Joan Gardner of Mansfield; a daughter, Jayne Gardner, and her husband, David Bauer of Southlake; a son, Bob Gardner and his wife, Mary K. Gardner of Hamilton; 14 grandchildren, Bart Gardner, Megan McClendon and her husband, Gabe, Kathy Fuller, Brian Kunz and wife, Dawna, Jamey Seely, Jessica Warlick, Sarah Wright, Stephen Bauer, Matt Bauer, Robbye K. Gardner Lengefeld and her husband, Jon Lengefeld and Riley F. Gardner; and nine great-grandchildren, Adam Fuller, Bryce Fuller, Zander Villinger, Raemy Villinger, Kaitlyn McClendon, Kylie McClendon, Gabe McClendon, Sydney K. Lengefeld and Caleb Lengefeld.
Pallbearers were the eleven grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers were Bill Barkley, Doyle Cook, Milton Harelik, Bert Schrank, Harold Shockley and Ken Sparks.
Memorials may be directed to Hamilton General Hospital or First United Methodist Church.
Riley Funeral Home
Charles C. (Charlie) Tomlinson
Charles C. (Charlie) Tomlinson was born August 7, 1946 in Hamilton, the son of Arnold Buck and Hilda Reinert Zschiesche.
He grew up on a farm in Indian Gap. In 1952 his mother remarried H. Glenn Tomlinson, who adopted him, therefore changing his name.
Mr. Tomlinson attended elementary at Indian Gap School and graduated Pottsville High School at the age of 16 in 1963. He then graduated from Tarleton State University in 1967 at the age of 20.
He was married to Sandra J. Sauer in 1965 in Hamilton. He was assigned to Nashville, TN, working for C.G. Aetna Insurance Company.
While in Nashville, his son, Brian Charles was born on May 20, 1968. After relocating to Houston as an ACL Lines Adjuster, his son, Bradley (Brad Carl was born on July 2, 1971.
In 1980, Charles was appointed the Dallas claims manager for Cigna Corporation. He later succumbed to Multiple Sclerosis and retired from Cigna.
His remains were cremated and interred at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Pottsville where his parents, grandparents and great-grandparents are buried.
Survivors include his sons, Brian and wife Melissa, Brad and wife Sherri and five grandchildren, Zachary, Aaron, Christopher, Brooke and Brenden.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be offered to the MS Society.