Homer Gardner II

June 17, 1950 - November 26, 2021

Mr. Homer Edward (Skip) Gardner II, 71 of Imlay City Michigan died at Daybreak on 26 November 2021 shortly after enjoying his final Thanksgiving dinner and relaxing. Mr. Gardner was born on 17 June 1950, in Detroit Michigan to Homer Edward Gardner and Evelyn Josephine Gardner. Homer was their first child and first of three boys and one girl. He was a man who really love life and lived it well! He was baptized; received communion and confirmation as a Roman Catholic and he loved and feared God and the Holy Christmas Season, he loved to write and send Christmas cards of Good Cheer and Blessing of a Joyous Season that is upon us now. He attended St. Basils Catholic School until 6th Grade, Roxanna Park Elementary School 6th Grade and Grant Junior High in East Detroit/East Point and Utica High School, Utica Michigan before enlisting in the United States Army at the height of the Vietnam War. After completing basic training at Fort Knox Kentucky and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Huachuca Arizona he served one overseas tour in Germany and one overseas combat deployment to Vietnam at the very young age of 18/19 years old. Homer enjoyed playing and following baseball his entire life, he was a lifelong fan of the Detroit Tigers. He told many stories after returning home from Vietnam where he would listen to the Armed Forces Radio and Television Network (AFRTS), and periodically he would catch a live broadcast of a Detroit Tiger Game in the Foxhole. Mr. Gardner was a talented Guitar Player who loved to play the Guitar. He learned to play the Guitar at the young age of 14, and by the time he was 15 years old he was instrumental in forming a band with his friends called the Silvertones; they named the band after the Sears Silverstone brand of instruments they used, cleaver lads! They were very popular and when the band practiced in Homer's parent's garage, the Police would come by and direct traffic because they drew such a large crowd of music lovers. One of Homer's favorite songs is Mr. Bo jangles, which he would play and sing for anyone who asked, it was truly a remarkable solo performances, when he performed the song he was overwhelmed by happiness and love which was shared by his audience. He played in various local bands during his performing days as a local artist, please request a song on his behalf on your favorite radio station or at local establishment that supports live music. Although a gifted musician, Homer's service to his country in the United States Army was one of his proudest accomplishments of his life. He always respected and maintained his patriotic spirit and unwavering support of the America dream no matter what the lingering effects war can have on ones physical, mental and spiritual being. During his working life he worked in varying of industries and was employed by Farmer Jack and Kroger Grocery Stores, Chrysler Automotive Group and the various Tool and Die companies like Miller Broach. A few years after his service in Vietnam, Homer was diagnosed with a service connected disability called Agent Orange; Homer lived with his the battlefield injury/illness throughout his adult life that contributed to his passing. Homer believed that voting was a special American right worth defending and that it is very important that we elect the right leaders. Homer was married once to the former Nancy Daner of Utica Michigan, during their marriage they had no children. He is survived by his two brothers and one sister their spouses or former spouses; Curtis and Patty Gardner, Eugene and Manuela Gardner, Juanita and John Turner. He was the Uncle to three nephews Johnathon Turner, Curtis and Lafayette Gardner and six nieces Rachel, Amanda, Natalie, Marcelena and Scarlett Gardner and Ninnette Green. He was preceded in death by his Mother and Father, Evelyn and Homer Gardner of Sterling Heights. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, December 14, from 2 - 8 p.m. at Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Home, 8459 Hall Rd. (3 blocks east of Van Dyke), Utica. Funeral service will take place on Wednesday, December 15, at 12:00 p.m., at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will take place later that day, at 2:30 p.m., at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI. Share a memory at www.SullivanFuneralDirectors.com.