Raymond Earl Gardner

Ray was born in a small town of Eminence, KY in Henry County. He grew up “dirt poor” in poverty with hand me down clothes and shoes, and often went to bed hungry as a young boy. When he was a teenager, Ray moved to Shelbyville KY, for both work and survival. He spent the majority of his life there working various jobs in farming and building, learning valuable life skills while raising his daughters. Ray later moved to Fern Creek in Louisville with his wife, Ann, where he lived the rest of his life.

Most of Ray’s career was spent as a homebuilder and contractor for the Jones Group, prior to retirement in 2007. Ray was a carpenter, home builder, and a Mason for over 60 years. He oversaw the building of hundreds of homes throughout Shelby County, Oldham County, Jefferson County. He was a member of the Homebuilder’s Association of Louisville and the Solomon Masonic Lodge. He had spent 10 years at the Coca Cola company and worked for the Kentucky Highway Department to help build Interstate 64.

Ray was an entertainer who loved to sing, dance and make people smile. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, bowling, singing karaoke and line dancing with Nuts N Honey. He was a member of Midland Trail Golf Club and former member of Weissinger Hills Golf Course. He was also an avid archer in the 1960’s and 70’s competing in tournaments throughout Kentucky. Ray was an avid U of K fan and was rarely seen without his Kentucky cap on.

Ray became a committed Christian in 1947, and spent several years volunteering at Highland Baptist Church in Shelbyville teaching Sunday school, summer Bible school, and speaking to adult men and young boys. He would visit local jails as well as nursing homes to teach men and women about God. He also helped start a bus ministry to give rides to children and parents to church, and was proud how God used him in this way. Ray became a member of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville and often volunteered as an usher. In 2012, Ray enthusiastically volunteered his time working with members of Bridgehaven Mental Health Services to build birdhouses, with proceeds going back to the organization. He loved this project.

In 2020, Ray published an autobiography called “A Time to Share” about his life experiences, growing up poor in a family of 8 kids, and becoming successful through hard work, determination, and the Grace of God. This is one of his most proud achievements, as he fought back many tears of joy and pain to pour out his life on paper. Proceeds from the book were donated to various non profit organizations. Ray also wrote many poems as well as songs, mostly over the last few years of his life.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents, Garnett Lee Gardner and Helen Muriel Cain, his brothers Billy Gardner, Harold Ray Gardner, and Phillip Gardner, along with his sisters Ruby Mae Payton and Cheryl Gardner Giles.

He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Ann Gardner, sister, Betty Sue Boehm (Edward), brother, Garnett Gardner Jr, daughters: Tina L Skaggs (Mikel), Karen R Speight (Alcindor), Anissa J Gardner, Judith Coogle, Karen Johnson (Jimmy), Cindy Bernauer, and son, Keith Bernauer (Stephanie), 17 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandson.

A visitation for Raymond will be held Monday, June 6, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Arch L. Heady at Resthaven, 4400 Bardstown Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40218, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hosparus Health hospice care, as they were so wonderful in helping take care of Ray and his wife, over the last weeks of his life.

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” -Psalm 100