Entered into eternal rest on the evening of March 26, 2012, PHC Thomas Henry Gardner, USN (Ret), of Charleston, SC, widower of Alice Faye Carlisle Gardner. The relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral services Saturday, March 31, 2012 at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow in Live Oak Memorial Gardens with military honors. The family will receive friends Friday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at J. HENRY STUHR, INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway.

Born November 26, 1937 in Sidney, Ohio, Thomas was the son of the late William Everett Gardner and Thelma Louise Rieck Gardner. He was a retired Chief Petty Officer with the United States Navy and a retired Sergeant with the Charleston City Police Department. Included among his many organizations Thomas was active in the Moose Lodge, The Fraternal Order of Eagles, FOP Lodge #69, American Legion Post #179, Life Member of the Fleet Reserve Chapter 50, Life Member of the National Assoc. of Naval Photography, Mended Hearts, the Roper Xavier Society, Coastal Carolina Council of BSA, and a member of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church.

Surviving are his two sons, Kenneth Wayne Gardner of Charlotte, NC and William Everett Gardner (Kristi) of Henderson, NV; a brother, Gary Rieck Gardner (Reggie) of Goose Creek; and four grandchildren, Andrew Huskey, Tiffany Gardner, Evan Gardner, Bryce Gardner and a special companion Dianne Bryson.

Memorials may be made to Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, Building Fund, 3075 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414.