Robert Stanfield “Stan” Gardner, 85, of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, formerly of Hamlet, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023 at his home.
He was born June 27, 1938 in Richmond County, a son of the late Olin Stanfield and Laurabell Johnson Gardner.
Stan retired from CSX and was longtime volunteer fireman with the Hamlet Fire Department. Mr. Gardner was a huge part of Hamlet Fire Department from working on trucks, building fire trucks, ladder trucks and restoring fire trucks. He restored the 1921 American LaFrance fire engine for the department just six years ago. Stan passed on so much knowledge to many generations of firefighters teaching them mechanical skills. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Hamlet and the Sandhills Boys BBQ Group.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty J. Lanier Howe; and his second wife, Gloria Gardner; a brother, Ray Gardner; and nephew, Tim Gardner.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023 at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Hamlet with the Rev. Randy Bishop officiating. Burial will follow at Richmond Co. Memorial Park.
Surviving, a daughter, Kaye Eucare and husband Val of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; a son, Bert Gardner of Wallace, South Carolina; a sister, Carol Ann Smith of Hamlet; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a special nephew, Garrett McInnis.
The family will receive friends 12:30-1:45 p.m. at the church prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to Hamlet Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1229 Hamlet, NC 28345; or First Baptist Church, Food Pantry, 208 Charlotte St. Hamlet, NC 28345 or Hamlet Soup Kitchen.
Online condolences may be made at watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Hamlet is serving the Gardner family.
