Ralph Bruce Gardner Jr.

Mr. Gardner was born in Ft. Benning, GA to the late Ralph Bruce Gardner, Sr. and Frances Marie Burnett of Villa Rica, GA. He was predeceased by his second wife, Pamela Turner Gardner, of Columbus in 1985. As the son of a U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer, he experienced life in Germany, Japan, Kentucky, Louisiana then back to Georgia. He was a 1961 graduate of East Jefferson High School in Metairie, Louisiana where he was President of his graduating class and named Mr. East Jefferson High School 1961. He played baseball for Columbus College for two years before attending Auburn University where he graduated with a degree in Building Science. He was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. After college, he began his construction career as a foreman for James Welch Construction Co. In 1972, he opened Gardner Construction Company. From there, he went on to construction consulting, litigation support and CPM scheduling with Ray Vinson & Associates, The Quantum Group, and lastly his own company, Gardner & Associates.

Ralph was always known for his witty humor, meticulous attention to detail and generosity. He enjoyed cooking, gardening, reading and especially spending time with his family.

Survivors include his three daughters from a previous marriage. Wendy Gardner (Bradley) Harrison, Jenny Gardner Nobes, Amy Gardner (Richard) Mobley, grandchildren Brittany Harrison (Josh) Geiger, Jay Harrison, Trey Mobley, Reniker Nobes, Gardner Mobley, Ellis Nobes and great grandson Kristopher Geiger, all of Columbus. He is also survived by his Aunt Nelta Burnett Barnes of Dallas, GA, sisters Dixie Gardner (Bill) Tyson of Snellville, GA and Nancy Gardner Fulford of Roswell, GA, his four nieces, five grandnephews, four grandnieces and many cousins in the Villa Rica, Carroll and Douglas County areas.

The family will receive guests for visitation Wednesday, July 8th from 5:00 - 7:00 pm in the Wildwood Room of Striffler-Hamby. Graveside service will take place at 3:00 pm on Thursday, July 9th at Parkhill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Columbus Hospice, 7020 Moon Road, Columbus, Ga 31909 or www.columbushospice.com.