Thomas Eugene Gardner

Tom was born on March 30, 1958 in Maryland and was the son of Robert Gardner and Martha Neal. He married Donna Harding on October 17, 1997 in Mechanicsville, Maryland.

Tom served in the US Navy from 1977 to 1981. After leaving the Navy, he was hired by DynCorp and worked as an Aircraft Mechanic and a Quality Control Inspector for 28 years at Patuxent River Naval Base. He then accepted a position with Lockheed Martin where he was a Crew Chief for the F35 Joint Fighter program until 2018 when he retired to Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. The enjoyment of his retirement was spending time on the beach and riding his bicycle or golf cart to a special place he loved on the waterway.

Tom is preceded in death by his father, Robert Gardner; mother, Martha Neal; brother, Bill Gardner; and sister, Marti Cain.

Tom is survived by his wife Donna; son, Brandon; stepsons, Billy and Ben; seven very cherished grandchildren; and many other dear friends and family members.

In lieu of flowers a memorial contribution can be made to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Hospice, 955 Mercy Lane SE, Bolivia, N. C. 28422

The Family will honor Tom with a Life Celebration in Maryland at a later date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitefuneralservicesupply.com for the Gardner family.