Passing of Charles Virgil Gardner, musician, pilot, business owner; life celebration Feb. 28

Charles Virgil Gardner, 85, of Berkeley Drive, Haymarket, Virginia, passed away on Monday, February 23, 2015 at his home with his wife and family by his side.

Charles was born Feb. 11, 1930 in Washington, DC.  His parents, Carl Webb Gardner & Gladys Kropke Gardner preceded him in death. His brother, Carl Mason Gardner, resides in Maui, Hawaii.

He was married to Peggy Ann Pickett on June 3, 1950 at Antioch Baptist Church, Waterfall, VA.  He attended Osbourn High School, Manassas, VA and then joined the Navy in 1948 for five years. 

During his career, he worked for Atlantic Research, Melpar, Alleghany Airlines, Piedmont Airlines, Eastern Airlines, FAA, Nationwide Insurance, and was the co-owner of Hillwood Mobile Sales. 

He was a past Master of Haymarket Masonic Lodge #313 and Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star #123 in Haymarket, VA.  He was past President of the Gainesville Ruritan Club, member of Antioch Baptist Church where he was the church organist and member of the Kena Shriners Temple in Fairfax, VA.

His hobbies included flying, scuba diving, motorcycling, and especially music.  He played the accordion, piano, organ, and banjo.  He had a band for many years that would play for private functions, nursing homes and for anyone who would listen. He loved his music–from Country to Gospel, Classic Pop, Oldies, to the newer sentimental songs.  His love of music translated into his life. He could be found almost every evening playing the piano, creating beautiful music.
 
He was very proud of his commitment to the Blood Bank of Virginia where he donated thousands of platelets of blood. 

He would drive little children from the area to the specialty hospitals, help out someone in need and he gave of himself to those who were suffering from illness or turpitude.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy Ann Pickett Gardner; four children, Bonnie Mackenzie, and husband John Mackenzie, of Marion Station, MD; Anne Pace, and husband Michael Pace, of West River, MD, Pat Gardner, of Gainesville, VA; and Michael Charles Gardner, and wife Katie, of Haymarket, VA; seven grandchildren, Heather Gardner, of Gainesville, VA; Michael Gardner of Lincoln University, PA, and wife, Kelly; Michelle Gardner, of Colorado; Kaylee Gardner, of Haymarket, VA; Jackson Gardner, of Haymarket, VA;  Bode Gardner, of Gainesville, VA; and Georgianna Gardner, of Gainesville, VA.  And two great-grandchildren, Noah Prior and Peggy Prior, both of Gainesville, VA.

The Service celebrating the life of Charles Virgil Gardner will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015 at 2 p.m. following visitation at 1 p.m. at Antioch Baptist Church, 16509 Waterfall Road, Haymarket, VA. Interment will immediately follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Antioch Baptist Church Piano Fund in memory of Charles Gardner, PO Box 446, Haymarket, VA 20169.