Carl Wray Gardner, Jr.

Carl Wray Gardner, age 75, of St. Augustine, passed away on February 1, 2019 at the Bailey Family Center for Caring. He was born and grew up in Shelby, North Carolina, graduating from Shelby High School with the class of 1961. While in high school Wray was active with the Civil Air Patrol and upon graduating from high school he joined the U.S. Air Force. Stationed in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Wray was eating at a drive in restaurant and was drawn to a local young woman who owned the exact same 1959 Chevy Impala that he did. After a brief courtship, Wray married Marjorie Thompkins on April 28, 1963. After his discharge from the Air Force, Wray and Marjorie settled Mytrle Beach, S.C. where they raised a family of three children. Wray began working in the financial industry and was the 3rd founding officer of Anchor Bank in Myrtle Beach. After a short career in banking, Wray joined the Myrtle Beach Police Department where he served as a Detective, and later opened his own private investigation company working primarily for the Horry County Public Defender’s Office. After retiring in 1998, Wray enjoyed traveling the country with his wife and dogs, woodworking and was an avid HAM radio operator. He was a member of Anastasia Church State Road 16, a Master Mason and member of the Myrtle Beach Masonic Lodge 353, and a member of the Conway York Rite Bodies and the Conway Comandery No. 25 Knights Temple. More than anything, Wray was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. He will be deeply missed. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marjorie Gardner; sons, Rick Gardner (Sarah), Rob Gardner (Kit); a daughter, Karen Gardner; 10 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren; sister in law, Nellie T. Ciaccio (Craig); brother in law, Sam Thompkins (Carolyn); and cousins, Mike Thompkins and Robert Shelley, who were like brothers to him. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, Feb 5, 2019 at St. Johns Family Funeral Home with Rev. Dan Ott officiating. A visitation, beginning at 1pm will precede the service. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Bailey Family Center for Caring, c/o Community Hospice of N.E. Fl., 4266 Sunbeam Rd., Jacksonville, Fl. 32257, or to Anastasia Church State Road 16 Campus, 110 Circle Dr E. Saint Augustine, FL. 32084. St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Carl Wray Gardner, Jr.

February 10, 1943 - February 1, 2019