George Howell Gardner Iii

George Howell Gardner III, age 79, of Abingdon, MD, passed away on October 21, 2012 at the Senator Bob Hooper House in Forest Hill, MD. Born in Baltimore, MD, he was the son of the late George Howell Gardner Jr. and Ruby Lee Salyer Gardner. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he was a retired Maryland State Trooper. A resident of Harford County for 72 years, he enjoyed the Bush River, sailing, boating, scuba diving, gardening and fishing with his grandson. He was a member of the Retired Maryland Troopers Association and was an active choir member at St. Joan of Arc Church. He was also a member of St. Vincent de Paul where he was active with the food distribution to the poor and enjoyed participating in Men's Prayer Group.

Mr. Gardner is survived by his wife of 46 years, Patricia Arlene Gardner of Aberdeen, MD; son, George Patrick Gardner of Perryman, MD; daughters, Mary Marguerite Coale of Darlington, MD and Christina Lee Rodgers and husband, Darren, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and grandchildren, Arial Jade Rodgers and Michael Alexander Coale.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Francis de Sales Choir Fund or Food Bank Fund for the Poor, 1450 Abingdon Road, Abingdon, MD 21009.