Darrel "Teed" Gardner

Darrel "Teed" Gardner passed away on July 4, 2026 at 88 years old.  A "real character", as he might say, he was larger than life to those who knew him.  In his earlier years, you could find him out on the ball field, or at croquet on Sundays.  He continued his lifelong love of sports by watching his grandkids play, and of course keeping up with "them Dodgers".  Playing Rook and drinking coffee were a couple of his most noticeable addictions.

He was a champion "loafer" as he called it, taking the grandkids out for ice cream, or riding the roads just enjoying time together. For many years, you never saw Teed without Charlie, his beloved Border Collie.  Whether it was running deer out of his prized garden, or riding shotgun in the pickup, they were inseparable.  

Teed was preceded in death by his wife, Connie Marie (Curtis) Gardner; father, Edd Reed Gardner; mother, Vada Ruth (Jones) Gardner; son, Dale M. Gardner; brothers, Billy Q. Gardner, Robert L. Gardner and Hal D. Gardner.

He is survived by his sons, Rob Gardner and wife Debbie, Andy Gardner; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; Brothers, Howard R. Gardner and wife Rita, and Wayne D. Gardner and wife Rovena; numerous nieces and nephews; special friends, Victoria, Ginny, and Scott Walsh, Richard Nottingham, Lola Dean, Julie Million, Judy Rhoton and all who knew him as family or friend.

As his strength was failing, he said he had made his peace with his Maker and was ready to go home.

The family will receive friends from 12 to 1 pm Thursday, July 9, 2026 at Darthula Baptist Church, 1741 Lunsford Mill Rd, Hiltons, VA. Services will be held at 1:00 pm with Pastor Layton Bentley officiating. Music will be provided by Dale Jett and Layton Bentley. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens, 19415 Lee Hwy, Abingdon, VA.

Pallbearers will be Jotham Gardner, Achijah Gardner, Amariah Gardner, Neth Gardner, Enolih Gardner and E.J. Gardner.

Honorary pallbearers will be Othniel Gardner, Yonah Gardner, Scott Walsh, Richard Nottingham, Howard R. Gardner, Wayne D. Gardner and Marvin Gardner.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to local churches of your choice for youth and community outreach activities.