Reverend Frank William Gardner
April 2, 1920 ~ August 10, 2015
Reverend Frank William Gardner, age 95, Pastor Emeritus of Cleveland Park United Church of Christ, Congregational, died on Monday, August 10, 2015. He was the beloved husband of Alice M. Gardner for 68 years and devoted father of Lydia Gardner Leeds, April Lee Gardner, Paul Gardner (deceased), Ami Cannon, and grandfather of April Iris Gardner. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, graduated from Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, Columbia University, (BA), and Union Theological Seminary, New York, NY, (STM).
He was a Lieutenant in the Navy during World War II serving on an Escort Destroyer as an officer of the first integrated crew. He served several long pastorates in upstate New York before coming to the Washington area to initiate an experimental ministry at the request of the Washington Diocese, Presbytery, and United Church of Christ, Congregational. He will be remembered for his commitment to social justice, serving as Chair of the Fair Housing Committee in Norwich, NY, participating in the March on Washington in 1963 with Martin Luther King, JR., a long time member of the Southern Poverty Law Center, and as President of the Literacy Council of Montgomery County, MD. He also was a Master Gardener and a volunteer instructor in the ESOL program at the Tilden Middle School in Montgomery County, MD for 11 years.
While a resident at the Asbury Methodist Village retirement center in Montgomery County, MD, he was a Caring Minister, Program Chair and instructor in the ESOL program and Director of the Play Reading group. He was an avid reader with a keen intellectual curiosity and love of music and nature.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
He was a Lieutenant in the Navy during World War II serving on an Escort Destroyer as an officer of the first integrated crew. He served several long pastorates in upstate New York before coming to the Washington area to initiate an experimental ministry at the request of the Washington Diocese, Presbytery, and United Church of Christ, Congregational. He will be remembered for his commitment to social justice, serving as Chair of the Fair Housing Committee in Norwich, NY, participating in the March on Washington in 1963 with Martin Luther King, JR., a long time member of the Southern Poverty Law Center, and as President of the Literacy Council of Montgomery County, MD. He also was a Master Gardener and a volunteer instructor in the ESOL program at the Tilden Middle School in Montgomery County, MD for 11 years.
While a resident at the Asbury Methodist Village retirement center in Montgomery County, MD, he was a Caring Minister, Program Chair and instructor in the ESOL program and Director of the Play Reading group. He was an avid reader with a keen intellectual curiosity and love of music and nature.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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God promises to reunite us with our dead loved ones. He mentions the Earth will be restored to paradise conditions with an abundance of peace. God never lies (ISA 33:24).
Frank was a kind, wise, lovely man and I miss him. Alice if you read this please give me a call or send an email. The Dodds want to be in touch with you. Much sadness at RUC today to hear that Frank died. Love, Carroll
Lydia and family, I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May you find comfort in your loving memories. May his light continue to shine brightly in your heart.
I miss you dearest father but I know that your love and compassion will guide me throughout my life and your kind and gentle spirit will always be in my heart. Our family is grateful for the wonderful gifts of laughter and love that you gave us every day. Your loving daughter, April
Lydia and family, I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May you find comfort in your loving memories. May his light continue to shine brightly in your heart.
Dear Lydia and Family, Diane and I were so sorry to learn of the passing of your beloved father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God’s grace comfort you at this difficult time. With Deepest Condolences, Bob & Diane Brogan
Lydia and family, we are so very sorry for your loss but rejoice in all of the loving memories you had with your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Love and peace, Alycia and Ernest Williams
Dear Lydia, John and family: We convey our heartfelt condolences to you on the loss of your dear father. He was an amazing man, and he raised up an amazing daughter. That is a wonderful legacy. God Bless, Beth & Robert Crawford
Frank was devoted to helping others. I felt enriched by his sermons and his life lived for others.
Alice I was so sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. Please accept my heartfelt sympathies on you loss.
Alice I was so sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. Please accept my heartfelt sympathies on you loss.
Alice, I am so sorry for your loss – will keep you and your family in my prayers. Theo
Alice, I am so sorry for your loss – will keep you and your family in my prayers. Theo
Alice, I am so sorry for your loss – will keep you and your family in my prayers. Theo
Alice, Please accept my condolences. You and Frank were partners in life for so very long, you must miss him terribly. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Deepest sympathy. We miss you. Becky
Alice, thinking of you and your family at this time. My condolences to you and your family.
Alice, thinking of you and your family at this time. My condolences to you and your family.
Lydia, John, and family. What a wonderful life your dad had. His many accomplishments and the variety of his good deeds and love for humanity are a blessing for all of us. God bless him.
So sorry to hear of your husband’s death, Alice. Sincerely, Clifford Porter
So sorry to hear of your husband’s death, Alice. Sincerely, Clifford Porter
Dear Alice So sorry for your loss. They are simple words but do not begin to reflect the real feelings that people have when someone dies. Frank was an amazing person and touched the lives of so many in a positive way. He will be missed. May your memories console you and may you know that he is in a better place for the next part of his journey. Kindest regards, Michele