Desmond Jamar Gardiner "Dez"'s Obituary
Desmond, Are you ready?
And He answered, “Yes, Lord!”
It’s not the length of life, but the essence of life.
A Wonderful Son: Dez went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 2, 2022 at the age of 30. He was born on September 19, 1991 to John Gardiner and Charlene McNeil Davison in Portsmouth, Virginia. Dez was raised and nurtured in both Chesapeake, VA and Port Arthur, TX. He loved his family deeply. Dez also loved the Lord. At the age of 11 he was baptized at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. He rededicated his life at 27, in Koinonia Christian Church in Arlington, TX. Educational Attainments: Dez was an amazing athlete and loved football. He was offered over 100 scholarships. He chose Texas A&M University, “Aggies” “Gig ‘Em!” A SEC Division 1 school and played all four years while attaining his Bachelor’s Degree. Then he went on to Prairie View A&M University for his Master’s Degree and played one season as a Panther. He was scheduled to finish his Master’s at the University of North Texas this May. Loving Husband and Father: In 2013, as Dez was leaving workouts at PVAMU he ran into DeJonae at the Baby Dome. She asked him for directions, and he asked her to take a picture with him so he could send it to his grandmother to show her he was “making friends”. That began their love story and they were married on Oct 7, 2017. Dez had two sons Kaysen and Carter whom he loved very much. Dez always proclaimed “I just want to be a good husband and a good dad.” Personality: Dez was extroverted. He was confident, humorous, yet very intelligent, a protector, driven, supportive, never idle, and a jack of all trades! Let’s just say, he had rhythm in his heart, but not in his feet. “To know him is to love him.” Perfectly describes him.
Desmond is preceded in death by his grandmothers: Rosalie Delores Vanderhorst McNeil and Irene ”Margie” Evans; His grandfathers: John D. Gardiner Sr., Tony B. Evans; and Beloved sister: Joycelyn Gardiner “Prissy”.
Desmond leaves to mourn his death his loving wife, DeJonae Gardiner, children: Kaysen and Carter Gardiner, Mother: Charlene Davison (Michael Barnard) Father: John Gardiner (Taronia); Siblings: Robert McNeil, David Gardiner, Jazmine Valcin (Barry) and Brooke Bernard Grandfather: Henry McNeil (Vivian) And a host of beloved Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.
What’s your fondest memory of Desmond?
What’s a lesson you learned from Desmond?
Share a story where Desmond's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Desmond you’ll never forget.
How did Desmond make you smile?