Vernon Alfred Gardner

JOSHUA -- Vernon Alfred Gardner, 90, of Joshua, a retired machinist, passed away Friday, April 8, 2011, in Bedford. Funeral: 2 p.m. Tuesday at Mountain Valley Funeral Home Chapel. Interment: Rosehill Cemetery in Cleburne. Vernon was born Sept. 23, 1920, in Fort Worth to Fredrick Lee and Clara Irene Champlin Gardner. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Vernon loved fly fishing and camping in the mountains in Colorado. He also loved his family dearly and loved spending time with them. Most of all, Vernon loved God and Jesus as he showed and expressed in his love, kindness and compassion to his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Doty Gardner, in 2003. Survivors: Children, Guy, Shirley, Lynn and Greg; grandchildren, Todd, Chris, Steven, Kristi, Brandon and Katelyn; great-grandchildren, Chelsea, Breana, Steven Jr., Elizabeth, Grace, Jeremiah and Brayden; twin sister, Laverne Hanson; nieces, Carol, Brenda and Lola Irene; nephews, Brian and Charles; extended family; and friends.