James Raymond Gardiner Jr. was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed him to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, he possessed a tough-minded, “take charge” attitude. He had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and he was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. James always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, James was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges.
James was born on December 6, 1974 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Florida. His parents were James & Kay Gardiner. Always able to express himself well, James possessed strong interpersonal skills. He was optimistic in his outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in his communication. Armed with a great wit, James was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.
Blessed with a balanced attitude, James was able to relate well with others. His occasional role as family mediator gave him the opportunity to ease tense situations when they occurred. James was raised with 4 siblings. Josh, Emmy, Brandon and Justin. James had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.
As a young child, James showed his creative ability in many ways. He was outgoing and animated. James enjoyed new activities and pursued a variety of interests. He took part in football and baseball. In his spare time he liked BMX.
Known to others as a focused, logical, open-minded and somewhat driven individual, James was able to utilize these qualities to succeed in high school. His curious nature was spurred by his ability to maximize his personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. He was good with facts and had an excellent memory. He graduated from Fairfax High School. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite class in high school was weight training. James was a great football player and an All American Baseball Player as well.
Friends and acquaintances found James an easy man to get to know, and those close to him would often praise his open, practical style of communication and relaxed approach to life in general. James was uncomplicated and straightforward in his relationships, which allowed him to accept people for what they were. While growing up, some of his best friends were Daryl Wustrack, Ralph Cory and Logan Cory. Later in life, he became friends with Beam, Damon, Robert, Mix, Misha, and Jay.
James first met his wife Jacinda (“Misty”) in 2004 and have been together ever since, often traveling to exotic beach resorts and enjoying boating and skiing whenever possible. James was genuinely concerned about the welfare of others and his generosity touched the lives of everyone fortunate to come in contact with him. He was a dedicated husband, father, and provider for his wife Jacinda and his 2 children. His engaging and hard-driving personality brought much success to everyone around him.
Very much like a kid himself, James identified with the inquisitive and creative side of his children’s personalities. He was able to direct his energy and spontaneity towards helping his children acquire added common sense skills. James was blessed with 2 children, Jayme Gardiner and Savannah Gardiner.
James was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around him. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions, James’s strengths included being able to think on his feet. He could be a leader who sought impact for his decisions. Gifted with an incredible ability to read body language, James was able to positively manipulate situations and motivate others in order to get a task completed. He was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. James could multi-task, and he was endowed with entrepreneurial spirit, allowing him to think beyond standard norms when it came to resolving issues in his work environment. His primary occupation was as a General Sales Manager.
James enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. He had something of an artistic flair in many of the things that he did. He put this creativity toward all of his pastimes. His favorite pursuits were snowboarding, wakeboarding, weight lifting and racing RC cars. He was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.
Because he liked to take risks, James was a perfect match for athletics and exercise. He was enthusiastic and confident about these activities. In high school, James played football and baseball. James was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were motocross.
Travel and vacations were experiences that James truly enjoyed. He preferred to seek out excitement wherever he went and he was partial to vacations that were casual and laid back with an atmosphere of “live and let live.” He was willing to leave his plans open and flexible, just in case something more interesting came along. Favorite vacations included going to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
James was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of James’s favorites was Sugar Bear the Pug/Boxer Terrier. They were best friends for 7 years. His family was rounded out by Roxy aka Mom.
James passed away on September 2, 2019 at Centennial Hills Hospital. Services were held at Palm Northwest Mortuary. James was laid to rest in Palm Northwest Cemetery.
James was the kind of person who could win others over easily. A concrete communicator, he relied on his senses to increase his involvement and awareness of others. He was always able to provide amusing repartee to his friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. If James had a theme song written about him, it might well have been “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” He enjoyed his life and the experience of living it. This is how everyone will remember James Raymond Gardiner Jr.
