James Gardner

James H. "Butch" Gardner, 73, went to meet his Lord on Sunday December 27, 2015. He was born October 15, 1942 in Little Rock to Eugene and Audrey Gardner. Butch loved all kids, especially his grandchildren, and riding ATVs. He thoroughly enjoyed living on several acres in the Marche community of North Little Rock, along with his kids, grandkids, and their families.
Butch lived and worked in North Little Rock until 1978 when he and his family moved to Russellville to become owner of Honda of Russellville. He returned to North Little Rock in 1989 and became co-owner of Budget Transmission Inc.
Butch is survived by his wife of 18 years, Ann Gardner; son, Rick Gardner (Pam); daughter, Viki Martin (Sam); stepson, Matt King (Lindsey); stepdaughter, Claire Wilkerson (Brad); and 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Butch had one older brother, Aubrey Gardner (Connie), and three younger brothers, Burt Gardner (Julie), Mike Gardner, and Kirk Gardner (David Mitchum) and one younger sister Becky Boeckmann. He was preceded in death by his parents Eugene and Audrey, one brother Jerry Stanley, and many life-long friends.
Butch loved his family more than anything else. He enjoyed getting together with family and friends at the "Gardner Compound" to ride ATVs and motorcycles. He enjoyed watching his great-grandchildren race motorcycles and working in his shop.
Memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2015, at Cedar Heights Baptist Church, 14510 Cedar Heights Rd., North Little Rock, AR. Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 29, 2015, at the Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Rest Hills Memorial Park on Landers Rd. in North Little Rock. Online guestbook at www.SmithFamilyCares.com .