Jesse James Gardner

"Jesse James Gardner was born on December 2, 1920 to Melinda Hill and Tom Gardner in Keatchie, Louisiana. The fourth of 6 sons, he accepted Christ at an early age and rededicated his life to the Lord again in 1998. He and his brothers grew up hunting, fishing and farming. He loved to tell stories of his childhood on the farm, and especially the one about the time he let the cow into the house and the Ã¢â‚¬Å“messÃ¢â‚¬Â that was left to clean-up afterwards. \r\n\r\nAfter finishing school in Keatchie, he moved to Houston and married Elsie Eugenia Williams on January 24, 1942. Shortly after arriving in Houston, Jesse was hired at American Can Company and eventually retired as a machinist with 35 years of service. In 1970, Elsie and Jesse were overjoyed when they brought home their first child, a baby boy they named Anthony Todd, and the Gardner family became complete 3 years later when they brought home a daughter, Nicole Renee. \r\n\r\nJesse had a strong work ethic, and in addition to working at American Can Company, he ran several small businesses on the side and continued to work in various ways until he was well into his 80Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s. He was a loving, devoted family man, and dedicated his life to providing a comfortable and nurturing home for his wife and children. He loved horses, and for many years he and the family rode in their buggy in the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Parade. He also loved being outdoors and drove his tractor until he was 90 years-old only stopping because his children took away the keys. In his spare time, he loved to watch the Houston Rockets and Astros and listen to country/western music. \r\n\r\nHe was preceded in death by his loving wife of 70 years, Elsie Eugenia Gardner and he leaves behind one daughter, Nicole Sonnier and son-in-law Damon Sonnier; one son, Tony Gardner and daughter-in-law Lurtese Sherrell Gardner, and a granddaughter Grace Elizabeth Sonnier. \r\n\r\nJesse leaves behind a host of other loving relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Fred Lewis Gardner, Willie Gardner, Wade Gardner, Robert Gardner and Nathaniel Louis Gardner. He has three surviving nieces, Addye Elizabeth Gardner, Shirley Jean Thomas and Virginia Gardner, and one surviving nephew, Jesse James Gardner. He had two nephews who preceded him in death, Johnny Gardner and Fred Gardner. He leaves behind four great-nieces Dytra Donyelle Walton. Stephanie Carol Keil, Natosha Lynette Gardner and Melinda Gardner and three great-nephews, Steven Carlton Gardner, Lonnie Gardner and Barry Gardner. His great great-nieces are Brianna Gardner, Jumana Walton, Zhane Brent, Jerome Walton, Eronic Gardner and Steve Gardner."

Jesse James Gardner

August 2, 2013