James Allen Gardner

Born on November 4, 1963, to Helen Phyllis and E.G. “Butch” Gardner, James (or Allen, as he is known to family) was a resident of Odessa for almost all of his life. He attended San Jacinto Elementary, Crockett Junior High, and Odessa High School. During his school years, he enjoyed playing trombone in band, football, and creating mischief with his brothers, William and Paul.

James was a beloved husband to Maria Sue (née Sunderland) Gardner, who he married on November 3, 1985. In the following year, they welcomed their first daughter, Hollie Sue. Their youngest daughter, Becky LeAnn, arrived two years later. James was a devoted and loving husband, Daddy, and Grandpa whose first priority was always his family.

He served on the Midland Fire Department for 25 years. In October 2005, James was promoted to District Chief where he deeply valued his role in helping many people through the firefighters he taught. He was known to his fellow firefighters as the embodiment of the spirit of brotherhood, as he was always the first to help a brother in need.

With an endless supply of common sense and a willingness to always try new things, James was a jack of all trades and a master of many. He took up many hobbies throughout his lifetime with some including racing cars and dirt bikes, craftsmanship, horticulture, bowling, archery, golf, star-gazing, photography, and hunting. Above all of these was his lifelong passion for fishing. If there ever was a free weekend, you could always count on James to be sitting in his boat on a lake. He was a member of the Texas B.A.S.S. Federation Nation and had the dream of becoming a pro-angler and lake guide following his upcoming retirement. With his unshakable perseverance and artistry in storytelling, James will always be known to loved ones as a fisherman to his very core.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Hershall and Geraldine Brantley and Mary and E. G. Gardner Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Maria; his daughter and son-in-law, Hollie Gardner and DiMitri Higginbotham of Arlington; his daughter and her boyfriend, Becky Gardner of Odessa and Matt “Mattie” Carlton of Midland; his grandson and fishing protegé Mason Higginbotham of Arlington; his parents Butch and Helen Gardner of Odessa; his brother and sister-in-law, William and Teresa Gardner of Denver City; his brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Myshell Gardner of Odessa; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Kim and Mark Coggins of Germany, his niece and nephew-in-law, Mylissa and Ryan Taylor; his niece and nephew-in-law Kristina Spratlen and Eric Burkhart; his nieces, Brittany and Tiffany Gardner; his niece and nephew-in-law, Brittany and Preston Salisbury; his nephew David Coggins; his great-nieces and great-nephews, Gage, MacKenzie, Maegan, Blaze, Micah, Rayne, and Noah, and numerous other family members. He is also survived by his beloved brothers at the Midland Fire Department.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the Professional Fire Fighters Association of Midland Benevolence Fund at 602 N. Baird, Ste 207, Midland, TX 79701 or by contacting (432) 559-2074.

A private family visitation will take place at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home Sunday, January 12, 2014, at 2 pm; followed by the public visitation at 3 pm. Services will be held at First Baptist Church Odessa on Tuesday, January 14, 2014, at 2 pm with Captain Mike “Pooh Bear” Winford officiating.

Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home of Odessa.