John Marlin Gardner

John Marlin Gardner, of Madisonville and formerly of Houston, passed away on January 1, 2017 at the age of seventy-three. The youngest of five children, he was born on September 26, 1943 in Bakersfield, California to Ferguson & Louetta (Wheeler) Gardner. John served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam Era and had retired as the owner and operator of a trucking company.

John loved being at home with his family and telling stories. He had a nickname for everyone and he enjoyed singing. In fact, he would often make up words to a song if he didn't know the real words. John was a proud and private man. He was a hard worker and a wonderful provider for his family. John always kept up to date with the latest current events, especially if they were political, and he was a history buff. His family considered John a very wise man. John had lived in Madisonville for the past eighteen years, coming from Houston. He was preceded in death by both of his parents; brother, Ferguson Baker Gardner and sister, Dorothy Farrell.

Surviving family members include wife, Linda Gardner of Madisonville; sons, Marlin Gardner (Allison) of Mill Valley, California and Jeff Gardner (Erin) of Spring; daughters, Pamela Whited of Madisonville and Dana Gardner of Venice, California and sisters, Jackie Hubbard and Peggy Landrith, both of California. John is also survived by grandchildren, Brian, Cody, Ashley, April, Morgan & Harrison and great grandchildren, David, Eli and Zoey.

Madisonville Funeral Home in Madisonville, Texas is in charge of all arrangements.