Timothy J. Gardner, 81, of Kansas City, KS, passed away Thursday, August 3, 2023 at North Kansas City Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. The visitation will be from 9:30-11 a.m. on Friday, August 11, at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 416 N. 14th St. Kansas City, KS. The Funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral. Entombment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to the Cathedral.
Tim was born April 18, 1942, in Oklahoma City, OK, the son of Clarence and Betty Ann (Nugent) Gardner. Tim was a very gifted athlete and played in the Ban Johnson baseball league, was a football star at Rockhurst High School, and went on to play baseball for the University of Kansas as a catcher. Tim had served his country in the U.S. Marine Corp. He met the love of his life Barbara Grantham and they were married in Kansas City, KS. He had worked for the Social Security Administration for over 35 years and retired in 2005.
Tim was a member of the Cathedral of St. Peter's Church, where he and his children attended. He was strong in his faith and devoted to his family. His grandchildren were very special to him, and he was very involved in their lives. He was known by all as a great coach in football, basketball, and baseball. He absolutely loved sports, and he identified people by "where they played their ball." He was never late to a game; in fact, he often beat the teams to the field, court, or stadium because he never wanted to miss the warmups. Later in life, he attended all his grandchildren's games and became their biggest fan. He remembered every play of every game he ever watched.
Tim loved talking to people and would help anyone that needed it. He was known to paint houses (at a deep discount), cut grass for those in the neighborhood, take care of the field at Bishop Ward (including weed eating "the hill" for several years). He also visited many sick or dying friends in the hospital over the years. He had a great sense of humor and made friends wherever he would go. He never put on a false front, was a genuine person, and would give you the shirt off his back (but not his sweatpants). He had so many close friends that were a big part of his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Betty, brothers, John and Phil, and a sister Mary Beth Beier, and grandson Alex. Tim is survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara, 3 children, Ted, Pete and Jane (Jace), Grandchildren Megan, Abby, Nicole, Sarah, Daniel, and Allison, Brother, Bob Gardner (Therese) and Sister, Kathy Reiswig (Dave) as well as many nieces and nephews.