Charles Edward Gardner, Sr., 72, of Rippon, WV passed away on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at his residence.

He was born June 26, 1937 in Leetown, WV and was the son of the late Boyd Hurst Gardner and Evelyn Wasson Gardner Painter.

He was retired from the Jefferson County School System with 30 years of service. He also had previously been employed at the Charles Town Races as a security guard.

He was a veteran of the US Army.

He was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge No. 948, Jackson-Perks Post No. 71 of the American Legion, both in Charles Town, WV; the Izaak Walton League of America in Leetown and the AARP.

He enjoyed fishing and deer hunting.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Ann Gardner, at home; one daughter, Jacquline Randolph Karlson and son-in-law, Morten Karlsen of St. Petersburg, FL; one son, Charles Edward Gardner, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Marsha Gardner of Middleway, WV; seven grandchildren, Barbara Randolph of Hershey, PA, Christopher Lynn Randolph of Mount Flower, TX, Richard Tyler Randolph of Mount Flower, TX, Blair Nicole Gardner, Brooke Louree Gardner, Blake Marie Gardner, and Charles Edward Gardner, III all of Middleway, WV and two sisters, Nancy Thomas of Greensboro, GA and Dixie Good of Charles Town, WV.

Services will be held on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 2:00 PM at the Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home, US 340 at Halltown Road, Charles Town/Harpers Ferry, WV with the Rev. Carroll B. Williams officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to services. Burial will be private.