Richard Allen "Gomer" Gardin

Richard Allen "Gomer" Gardin, 60, of Nebo, NC died Tuesday, October 1, 2013. Born in McDowell County, NC on June 23, 1953, he was the son of Lillian Jean Washington Gardin of Nebo and the late William Gardin. Gomer retired from the U.S. Army with 20 years of service as Sergeant First Class. He has been employed as a LPN for the last 20+ years at Grace Heights. His "home away from home" was his woodworking shop. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing with his son and grandsons. Richard was devoted to his canine companions, Ginger and Brittany.In addition to his mother, Mr. Gardin is survived by his wife, Linda Bolick Gardin of the home; a son, Ben Gardin and his wife, Tammy, of Nebo; daughters, Angel Brittain and her husband, Jamie, of Morganton, Danielle Taylor and her husband, Ronnie Dean, of Morganton, Emily McIntosh of Nebo, and Candace Huskins and her husband, Jonah, of Marion, NC; grandchildren, Luke, Ethan, Corwin, Beau, Jayda, Josh, Madilynn, Cassidy, Kaitlin, and Seth; brothers, Dennis Gardin of Nebo and Bryan Gardin of Spruce Pine, NC; sisters, Judy Patton of Nebo and Phyllis Beam of Alaska; close friends and military buddies, Dacosta Barrow and Bob Maylee; and his Grace Heights family.The memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 4, 2013 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Chaplain Dennis Stamper officiating. Military honors will be provided by the N.C. National Guard. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sossoman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 2608, Morganton, NC 28680 to assist with funeral expenses.