Kenneth DeWayne Gardner, 64, of Crocker, was born on September 10, 1956, in Tuscumbia, MO, a son of James Kenneth and Vivian (Duncan) Gardner.  He departed this life at 11:58 p.m., Sunday, May 30, 2021 at his residence.

Kenny was united in marriage on January 19, 1975, in the Congregational Christian Church, in Iberia to Miss Donna Kay Hendricks and to this union, two children were born. He was preceded in death by his son, Chad James Gardner, his father, James Kenneth Gardner and his mother-in-law, Gertrude Hendricks.

Kenny retired from the United States Army Reserves after more than 30 years of service. He retired from the Fort Leonard Wood Fire Department after 35 years of service and was active on the Crocker Volunteer Fire Department for 31 years, where he had served as fire chief for many years. Kenny enjoyed cooking and feeding everyone, he was known for his big and kind heart and loved being with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Those left to mourn the passing of Kenny include: his wife, Donna Gardner, Crocker; his mother, Vivian Gardner, Crocker; his son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Renie Gardner, Troy; his siblings, Doug (Ruth) Gardner, Bluffton, South Carolina; Cindy (Fred) Cook and Linda Betherum, all of Waynesville, Rita (Bob) Simpson, , Crocker and Starla (Fred) Wiggs, Richland; two grandchildren, Haley (Jacob) Easterday and Maggie (Jon) Bockhorst, all of Troy; two great-grandchildren, Kinsley Rae Easterday and Parker Lee Bockhorst; his brother-in-law, Ronnie (Louanna) Hendricks, Camdenton and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation from 10 a.m. until 12 noon service time all on Thursday, June 3, 2021, in the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Chapel, Crocker with Bro. Rick Smith officiating.

Interment with full military honors will be n the Crocker Cemetery under the direction of the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Crocker. Pallbearers for Kenny are Doug Gardner, Ronnie Hendricks, Alan Hendricks, Jacob Easterday, Jon Bockhorst and Curtis Hendricks. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Crocker Volunteer Fire Department.

Memorial contributions are suggested by Kenny's family to the Crocker Volunteer Fire Department.