Former Sullivan County Sheriff, Joseph Michael “Mike” Gardner, age 68, died on Wednesday August 14, 2013 in Athens, Alabama. A native of Camp Rucker, Alabama, Mr. Gardner was born on April 6, 1945 the son of the late Donald Lester and Cora Mae King Gardner. Mr. Gardner proudly served his country having served in the National Guard. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Eagles, Elks Club, Moose Lodge, The V.F.W., American Legion and both National & Tennessee Sheriff’s Association. He served as Sullivan County Sheriff and was the Director of the First Tennessee Region Drug Task Force and served on the University of Tennessee Law Enforcement Consultant to all the Sheriffs in the State of Tennessee. Sheriff Gardner was voted “Outstanding Sheriff in 1977-1978 by Tennessee Sheriff’s Association. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his sister, Mrs. Deborah K. and husband Larry T. Roberts of Kingsport. One nephew, Landery Shane Rimer. Funeral services for Mr. Gardner will be conducted on Sunday August 18, 2013 at 2 p.m. from the chapel of East Lawn Funeral Home. Burial will follow in East Lawn Memorial Park with military rites. The family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon from 12 p.m. until the funeral hour at the funeral home. The following gentlemen will serve as active pallbearers and they include; Allan Lane, Bob Hodges, James Moffitt, John Young. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.eastlawnkingsport.com East Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Joseph Michael “Mike” Gardner.
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