Tom Gardner

GARDNER, Tom W., age 77, of Centerville passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, November 5, 2026. He was born in Cincinnati to his parents Bill and Connie Gardner and grew up alongside his 3 siblings.

After graduating from Moeller High School and the University of Cincinnati, Tom worked for the R.L. Drake Company for more than 25 years.

Tom had a love for golf, time spent at the beach, a good conspiracy theory, and the Cincinnati Bengals, Cincinnati Reds and Ohio State football. But above all, Tom's greatest joy was his family – especially his grandchildren. He was one of their biggest supporters and was proud to watch them compete in their sports, cheer them on and celebrate their accomplishments. He also loved sharing stories of his own high school football days with his children and grandchildren, passing along memories of his time on the field and sharing his lifelong love of the game.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Connie Gardner, and his brother, Jack Gardner. Left to cherish Tom's memory are his loving wife of 56 years, Jan Gardner; children, Chris (Nikole) Gardner and Jen (Todd) Raker; grandchildren, Eryn, Landon, Tyler and Trevor; brother, Fr. Jerry Gardner and sister Jane Morris.

Visitation will be held at 10:00am on Monday, November 16, 2026, at St. Francis of Assisi Church (6245 Wilmington Pike, Centerville, OH) followed by a mass at 11:00am celebrated by Fr. Jerry Gardner.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Tom may be made to the American Lung Association, 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601 (https://action.American Lung Association/site/Donation) or Dayton Children's Hospital Foundation, One Children's Plaza, Dayton, OH 45404-1815 (https://childrensdaytongive.org).