James "Jim" Gardner

James “Jim” Gardner, 76, died Friday, April 14, 2017, at BSA Hospital in Amarillo.  Services will be at 10:00 AM Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church with The Rev. Mark Lang, rector, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.  Jim was born Nov. 8, 1940 in Dallas to Ralph and Elizabeth Gardner, and his family came to Pampa in 1950. He was a 1958 graduate of Pampa High School and received his degree from Texas Tech University in 1962. After college graduation, Jim served in the U. S. Army. He married Karen Wells on Sept. 1, 1973 in Pampa.  Jim was a working partner with Panhandle Equipment Company, one of the largest compressor equipment distributors. He was a founding partner of NBC Bank, and after the bank sold, he continued taking care of his investments and was a managing partner of NBC Plaza.  Jim was a member of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and served on the board of directors of Citizens Bank and Trust and NBC Bank. He loved fishing and his annual trip with his sons and brother to WinStar Casino in Oklahoma. Jim was a loving husband, devoted father, and a great “Papa Jim” to his grandsons and great granddaughter.  Survivors include his wife, Karen Gardner, of the home; three sons, Kevin Gardner of Garland, Neal Gardner and wife Charlene of Pampa, and Andy Gardner of Pflugerville; a brother, Richie Gardner of Lake Kiowa; four grandsons, Tres Morris, Tyler Morris, Tucker Gardner, and Denton Gardner; and a great granddaughter, Kimber Morris; sister-in-law, Judy Murray and husband Tommy of Green Valley, AZ; niece, Carol Leigh Vukovich and husband George of Green Valley, AZ; a great niece, Elizabeth Evans.  Jim was preceded in death by his parents, a sister-in-law, Phyllis Gardner; a foster brother, JN Wright; a niece, Tonia Cotè; and a great nephew, Tanner Cotè.  Memorials may be made to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Day School, 727 W. Browning, Pampa, TX 79065, or Muscular Dystrophy Association, 3505 Olsen, Amarillo, TX 79109.