L. Don Gardner

Don was born on June 11, 1931, in Newport News, Virginia to Edward and Daisy Gardner, one of six children. He attended Newport News Highs School, the Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School, Carson Newman College, and William and Mary College. He worked as a Marine Designer for 44 years at Newport News Shipbuilding and Gibbs and Cox.

On September 1, 1951, he married his high school sweetheart, Eula Cannon. They raised two sons, Larry and Jimmy, and one daughter Debbie. They were married for 42 years until her passing in June of 1993.

He met his beloved Elsie Godwin on February 14, 1996. She and her former husband Cecil T. Godwin raised two sons, Ronnie and Kevin, and a daughter Beth. They were married 40 years before his passing. Don and Elsie were to celebrate 26 years together on Valentine’s Day. They enriched each other’s lives and enjoyed many adventures together.

Don had a passion for his family, his church, and photography. He was very involved in his children’s sports and music activities. He was active at Orcutt Baptist Church which he attended all of his life. He sang in the choir, served as a deacon, work with youth groups, served as Interim Principal at Orcutt Baptist School, and went on mission trips for disaster relief. Don was a man who loved God and loved people.

Don’s love for photography started in his teenage years and lasted all of his life. He was well known for his portrait and wedding photography. He was a small business owner providing photography services through Don Gardner Photography for many decades. He was an active member of the Virginia Professional Photography Association and the James River Camera Club.

Don was preceded in death by his wife Eula. He was preceded in death by his father Edward and mother Daisy, his brothers Edward and Bryan, his sisters Sarah and Helen.

He is survived by his beloved Elsie, his sister Cheryl, his son Larry (and wife Sandra), his son Jimmy (and wife Kathy), and his daughter Debbie (and husband Kevin).

He has 10 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren.

There will be a visitation held at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home on North Armistead Avenue in Hampton at 1:00 PM on Saturday, February 19th. A service will be held there at 2:00 PM followed by a graveside ceremony at 3:00 PM. A reception will be held afterward at the Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Providence Freewill Baptist Church or Orcutt Baptist Church.

Please join us to celebrate the life of this wonderful husband, father, friend, and human being. He fought the good fight, he finished the race, he kept the faith. There is now in store for him a crown of righteousness, awarded to all who long for the Lord’s appearing. We love you Dad. We will miss you always until we all reunite together in His presence.