Jerry Gardner

JD Gardner, 53, of Copperas Cove passed away on Thursday, November 24, 2016. Memorial Services will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, December 2, 2016 at the Christian House of Prayer in Copperas Cove.

JD was born in Pasadena, Texas on July 19, 1963 to Ernest and Billie McCasland Gardner. JD graduated from Sam Rayburn High School in 1981. In October of 1982 he joined the Pasadena Volunteer Fire Department while he worked full time at BP (Amoco) Chemical. He retired after 20 years to become the first full time paid chief in the Pasadena Volunteer Fire Department.  While living in Pasadena, JD was passionate about the Pasadena Livestock Show and served on the board of directors for several years and was also involved with the Harris County Firefighter’s Association.  He met Andrea Jason in 2002 and they later married on May 8, 2004 in Huntsville. In 2005 Andrea moved to Copperas Cove to serve as the assistant city manager and six months later JD joined her when he accepted the positon of Fire Chief in Killeen.  JD’s passion for the fire service was indicative in his service to the Texas Fire Chief Association and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service.  Throughout most of JD’s life he was active with the Masonic Lodge and earned the degree of Master Mason and was also a Shriner. In his spare time he enjoyed golfing, watching NASCAR, doing yard work, tracking the weather, and hunting.

JD was preceded in death by his brother, Greg Gardner.

JD is survived by his wife, Andrea Gardner of Copperas Cove; son, Jared Gardner of Pasadena, TX; twin step daughters, Ashlee and Stephanie Jason of Copperas Cove, father, Ernest Gardner and wife, Barbara of Huntsville; mother, Billie McCasland Corbett of Mason; brother, Steve Gardner  and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Killeen Professional Fire Fighter Association Local 2505, P.O. Box 4458, Killeen, TX 76540 or to the Pasadena Volunteer Fire Department, 923 E. Shaw Street, Pasadena, TX 77506.