Fred Gardner

Mr. Fred Gardner, age 81, of Murray, Kentucky, died Sunday, July 30, 2017 at the Murray-Calloway County Hospital, after an extended illness, able to lay to rest peacefully surrounded by his children and his wife Martha of 62 years.

Mr. Gardner was born February 13, 1936 in Calloway County, Kentucky, to the late Hill Clyde Gardner and Bernice Farley Gardner. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Josephine Hannah.

Mr. Gardner was a graduate of the Murray Training School and attended Murray State University. After leaving the University, he started his own trucking company, Fred Gardner Trucking. This was not enough as he had a "bug" for fishing. He and his wife Martha, purchased Murray Bait Co. in 1974. He was always known as a "avid" fisherman. Loyal to his customers, with an honor system that no one has ever heard of in this day and time. Fred's true passion was flying. He received his pilot's license in 1968 and purchased his first plan in 1969. He was very well respected at the Murray Airport, Kyle-Oakley Field, where he served on the board. He was a member of the Poplar Spring Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Martha Gardner of Murray, Kentucky, they married September 15, 1955 in Corinth, Mississippi; daughter, Gaye Gardner Rowe of Franklin, Tennessee; son Tony Gardner and wife Mary Ann of Murray, Kentucky; brother, Dan Gardner and wife Pam of Murray, Kentucky; four grandchildren, Corey Champion, Kara Rowe, Ellis Rowe IV and Chelsie Gardner; as well as one great grandchild, Alicia Champion.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 3, 2017 at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home with Rev. Rob Ison and Bro. Brett Miles officiating. Burial will follow in the Murray City Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 from 5-8 p.m. at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home. Serving as pallbearers will be Dan Miller, A.L. Lewis, John Telford, Carl Bennett, Jimmy Fain, Dan Jones, Joe Wilkerson and Bill Wiggins. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Chip Rowe, Terry Issacs, Johnny Parker, Steve Owens, Johnny Quertermous, Rob Allen, Otis Irwin, Paul Panther and Fred's Sunday School Class from Poplar Springs Baptist Church.

Expressions of sympathy may go to, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105-9959.

Online condolences can be left at www.thejhchurchillfuneralhome.com