Calvin Jerome Gardner

Calvin Jerome Gardner was born on September 7, 1969, in Cleveland, Ohio to the union of Calvin Orlando and Jacqueline Elaine Gardner. With his two older sisters, Lori Ann & Tamara Necell, it was the beginning of a very exciting and loving larger than life family. Being the youngest and only boy in the family, Jerry as he was called, took his job as the youngest very seriously. He felt his major responsibility in life was to torment his sisters and behead every doll in the house.

Jerry attended Columbia elementary school and became a member of the cub and boy scouts. He then attended Glenville High School with his siblings where he completed the 11th grade. Jerry started going to church at an early age. Attending not only Glenville Presbyterian Church as well as Calvary Presbyterian Church Saturday Program for kids his age. While at Calvary Presbyterian Church Saturday Program, Jerry got the lead role as "Corky" in a play entitled "Corky's Wearing Floods". The play was about a large family whose youngest boys’ clothes never fit, especially his pants. Jerry did such an amazing job that to this day a few of his friends still call him Corky. He remained at Glenville Presbyterian until a neighbor invited him and his sister Tammy, to a gospel concert at Cory U.M.C., where he fell in love with the Inspirational Voices. Jerry and his sister Tammy left Glenville Presbyterian Church and joined the Inspiration Voices at Cory U.M.C. under the guidance of Director, Inez Gorman where they both gave their life to Christ and became active members.

Jerry later developed a love for Cadillac cars and became an active member of the Cadillac Boyz Car Club. This filled his life with hours of restoring old Cadillac cars, attending car shows, and many other activities.

Life changes required Jerry to become a full time stay at home dad and the family babysitter, earning him the name Uncle Buck. At this point his health began to deteriorate but he still managed to keep a positive attitude.

Jerry always had good advice, a shoulder to cry on and a joke to tell even when things were serious. He saw the good in everybody and had no enemies. If you needed somebody to talk to, he was the one you called.

Jerry was an amazing dad, brother, and friend to many.

He leaves to mourn his passing; his fiancé Wanette Allen; his mother and father, Calvin and Jacqueline Gardner, two sisters Lori Ann (Tony) Tamara (Darryl), one brother Richard (Alice); Children: Jocelyn, Mashonda, Fatimah, Calvin III, Yoel, TreVon, Benjamin and Joshua. Grandchildren: Bennie, Baillen, Blessing, Micah, Melia, Kamaja, Courtney, Ava, Riley and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.