Dennis R Gardner

Dennis was born on August 25, 1943 in Hammond, Indiana. He was a graduate of Indiana University and Georgia State University. He was an elementary school math teacher in Indiana before moving to Atlanta, and ultimately Nashville, where he worked for the federal government-- The Small Business Administration-- for over 30 years.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Edna Gardner, sisters Betty Gasaway and Ilene Paswinski, and brothers Carl Gasaway and Gary Gardner.

Dennis is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Sylvia Gardner of Old Hickory, his two daughters, Jennifer (Ward) Tarkington of Old Hickory, and Kristin (Ashish) Thomas of Delhi, India, his seven precious grandchildren: Hunter, Isabella, Hannah, Zander, Hope, Asha and Selah, his brother David Gardner of Indiana and many nieces and nephews.

Dennis loved his family tremendously and was such a loving father, grandfather, and husband. He ultimately came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. His family is heartbroken, yet celebrates with him that he has now been made whole.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, March 13th at Hermitage Memorial Gardens, 535 Shute Lane in Old Hickory, Tennessee. Visitation will be held at 9:00 am and service will follow at 10:00 am.

Dennis loved traveling abroad and helping those in need. Donations can be made in his honor to one of the Gardner family’s favorite organizations, Raj Ministries; an organization providing quality education to impoverish and at-risk children in North India and Nepal.

For inquiries on how to donate, contact Kristin Thomas at [email protected].