Philip Gene Gardner

Funeral services for Philip Gene Gardner, 68, will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024, at 10:00am at Westwood United Pentecostal Church in Claremore, OK. Burial will follow at Sageeyah Cemetery in Claremore. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2024, from 3:00pm-7:00pm at MMS-Payne Funeral Home, with family receiving friends from 5:00pm-7:00pm.

Philip was born on June 25, 1955, to Earnest and Louise (Collins) Gardner in Lancaster, California. He was raised in Lancaster until the age of 7 when his family moved to Oklahoma. Philip attended school in Ringling, Oklahoma, and then completed his education in Texas. He began his career at Pinkerton Security, where he worked for several years before transitioning to Allegheny Ludlum in manufacturing.

Philip was a talented musician, with a natural gift for playing various stringed instruments. He was self-taught and had an amazing ear for music and enjoyed using his talent for the Lord, playing in church for many years. Known to be a jokester, Philip had the ability to inject humor into any situation, making dull moments funny. He enjoyed tinkering with computers, taking them apart and putting them back together. 

Philip was a people person and never hesitated to strike up a conversation with anyone. He was greatly loved by his nieces and nephews, who called him their favorite uncle. He was a best friend to many. Above all, Philip was deeply devoted to his faith and his church. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. 

Philip is preceded in death by his father, Earnest, and brother, William David Gardner. 

He is survived by his wife, Melba Gardner; mother, Louise Gardner; son, Brian Philip Gardner; daughter, Chandra Lavaun Guthrie, and husband Daniel; sisters, Anita Horner and husband Tim, and Colleen Withers and husband Dale; sister-in-law, Rita Gardner;  aunts Betty Collins and Sue Gardner; step-son David Griner, step-daughters Sabrina Griner and Abby Griner; 3 grandchildren, 12 step-grandchildren, numerous step-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family.