10/16/1936-03/22/2024
John Charles Gardner passed away peacefully on March 22, 2024 in Huntsville Texas surrounded by family. Jack, as he was known, was born in Cedar City, Utah on October 16th, 1936 to Karl Evans Gardner and Ruth Emma (Krier) Gardner. John was the second child of three. He had an older brother, Bruce and a younger sister, Patricia (Pat). Jack attended school in Cedar City, graduating from Cedar City High in 1955. Jack joined the United States Air Force in 1958 and served until his release from active duty in 1961. He was briefly married to Betty Verdean Glazier and they had a son John Devin. They later divorced. In 1966 Jack married Edith M. Durand in Cedar City. Jack graduated from Southern Utah State College in 1967 with a Bachelor’s degree in education.
Jack and Edie moved to California to teach. While there Jack attended California Polytechnical State University in San Luis Obispo where he obtained his Masters in Guidance and Counseling. In 1970 Jack and Edie moved to Carbondale Colorado where Jack continued to be a High School Teacher and Guidance Counselor. In April of 1971 Jack and Edie were blessed with the birth of their son, Matthew. In August of 1975 they were again blessed with the birth of their daughter, Holly.
During their time in Colorado Jack and Edie would take the family on camping trips, wood gathering trips and fishing excursions. Jack then became interested in the world of Cowboy Action Shooting in the Single Action Shooting Society where he took on the alias of Crosscut Jack, he chose that name and as honor to the family history in saw mills with a crosscut being a type of saw.
Later on in life Jack and Edie moved to Texas to be closer to their daughter and her children and to get out of the cold of Colorado.
Jack is preceded in death by his parents, older brother and Grandson Michael Howdle. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Edie, son John Devin Biniaz (Tami), son Matthew Gardner, daughter Holly Post (Josh), grandsons John Waters (Ty’Lene), Matthew Gardner Jr, Derek Waters, Chase Waters, step- granddaughter Vallery King, step-grandson Trenton Post and sister Patricia. Jack also is survived by 2 great grandsons, 1 great granddaughter, 3 nephews and 2 nieces.
Services will be held at 1:00pm on April 5th, 2024 at the Historic LDS Rock Church, Cedar City, Utah. A family viewing will be held at the Southern Utah Mortuary before the service from 11:30am to 12:30pm. Interment will be at Cedar City Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at www.mortuary.org.
Arrangements provided by Southern Utah Mortuary and Sam Houston Funeral Home.