Herbert J. Gardner

That first date through the years has been celebrated with joyous excitement and the rambunctiously crazy and downright stupid Gardner rendition of Happy Birthday. That second date now forces us to face and celebrate with full and grateful hearts the release of Herbert J. Gardner to his rest, freedom and eternal destiny in the hands of God's love.

Born in Austin, Texas in the old Brackenridge Hospital to I B and Susie McCright Gardner, who preceded him in death, Herb spent most of his growing up years in the "Big City" of Manor with his younger brother, James Gardner, and his younger sister, Joyce Gardner, who survive him.

While attending Manor High School, he became sweethearts with Violet Johnson whom he later married on June 24, 1950. With faithful love and devoted commitment, they have walked side by side and hand in hand these last 65 years.

Together they proudly celebrated the birth and rearing of their two children: Mark Gardner and Karen Gardner Hooper. With joy they welcomed into the family Mark's wife, June Edwards Gardner, and Karen's husband, Jack Hooper. Then through the years, they have dearly cherished their three grandchildren: Matthew Gardner, Tiffany Gardner and Lynnsey Hooper.

In his gratefully full, abidingly faithful, lovingly fruitful and wonderfully fun life, Herb was proud of his two year stint in the U.S. Marine Corps, dedicated in his long career with the Texas Highway Department, active in enjoying his time playing softball early in life and walking the neighborhood later in life, meticulous in keeping his cars and yard, faithful in his church service, openly warm and friendly with everyone he met, caringly protective of his family and extremely fond of his extended family including nieces and nephews and in-laws.

A special time of visitation will be held on Sunday, July 12, 2015 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd. A celebration of Herb's life will be held on Monday, July 13, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel. Interment will follow at Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville, Texas.