Obituary of Ricky R. Gardner

Ricky R. Gardner, age 58, of Rome, passed away March 13, 2010, in Rome Memorial Hospital, with his loving family at his side. He was born April 22, 1951, in Rome, a son of Charles and Charlotte Whitmeyer Gardner, and educated in Rome schools. Ricky was united in marriage at the Presbyterian Church in Verona, February 23, 1974 to the former Rose Potter. He was employed as a machine operator at Rome Strip Steel for 38 years. Ricky proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1968 to 1973, and served in Vietnam from 1969-1970. Ricky loved his family and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, especially while fishing and on many family vacations. He was an avid fisherman and truly enjoyed deer and turkey hunting. He enjoyed tinkering with cars. Ricky was always busy helping neighbors or family, before himself, never asking anything in return. Ricky will be terribly missed by family and friends. Ricky is survived by his wife, Rose; three daughters and sons in law, Krystal L. Mennig and Chris Irvin of Rome, Amy and Gary Beckwith of Rome, and Rachell and Richard Whiting of Town of Lee; four sisters and two brothers in law, Margaret Sharron of Camden, Charlotte "Peani" and Vernon Anderson of North Dakota, Betty and Bill Roberts of Arkansas, and Linda Catello of Rome; a brother and sister in law, Robert and Julia Gardner of North Carolina; grandchildren, Jacqueline, Samual, Ryan, Allyson, Joshua, Isabel, Chase and Victoria; and a son in law, Douglas Mennig; father in-law, Harold Potter. He was predeceased by his mother in-law Elizabeth Potter. The funeral service will be held Thursday at 10:00 AM at Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street. Burial will be in Townsend Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home, Wednesday 3 to 7 PM. The family would like especially thank Dr. Kulick, the Rome Memorial Hospital ICU staff for their excellent care and support and his co-workers at Rome Strip Steel for their continued support.