Joseph Warren Gardner Sr.

Joseph Warren Gardner died peacefully at Lambeth House on June 30, 2020. He was 90 years old. Warren was born in New Orleans on September 28, 1929 but spent most of his childhood in Mobile, Alabama. He was an outstanding high school baseball player and was awarded an athletic scholarship to play baseball at Tulane University. At Tulane, he was a very proud member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity where he made many close friendships which would last him for the rest of his life. After college, he served in the Army National Guard for two years

In 1955, he purchased Crasto Glass and Mirror Company, Inc. and began a long and successful career in the construction industry throughout the Gulf South. In addition to Crasto Glass, he was president of Southern Walls and Windows, Inc. and their related companies throughout Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. He was also president of Pinewood Shopping Malls, Inc. a real estate development company which owned shopping centers in St. Tammany and Tangipahoa Parishes.

Warren was active in many organizations and served on the board of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, the Salvation Army, NORD Baseball, and Distributors Council, Inc. He also served as president of the Audubon Golf Club and the DKE Alumni Association. In his own personal way, he was a deeply religious man and was very active at St. Andrews Episcopal Church where he served on the vestry and later at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church when he moved to Metairie. He was also a member of the New Orleans Country Club, several Carnival organizations, and the Stratford Club where he spent many happy afternoons playing bridge.

Warren was an incorrigible optimist and always upbeat. There was a bright side to everything. He loved life and most of all cherished his friends and family who have many wonderful memories together. He is predeceased by his parents, Margaret Frankenbush Gardner and Rodgers Gardner, his brother Russell, and his beloved wife of 62 years , Elizabeth “Betty” Cloutman Gardner. He is survived by his children, J. Warren Gardner Jr. (Monique Gaudin) Elizabeth Gardner Boeing (William L.), William Russell Gardner (Carro Coble),and eight grandchildren, Margaret Boeing Conway( Chase), John Gardner Boeing, William Freret Boeing, Eleanor Tidwell Gardner, Samuel Freret Gardner, Cheney Behrens Gardner, Russell Coble Gardner, and Annalee DesMare Gardner and one great-grandchild, Catherine Elizabeth Conway.

A private burial will be held Metairie Cemetery. Due to Covid 19 restrictions a memorial service may be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Martin’s Episcopal Church or any charity of your choice.