Acie Ray Gardner, 84, of Fayetteville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Tucker Hospice House in Kannapolis, North Carolina, with his loving family by his side.

Born on April 1, 1942, in Craven County, North Carolina, Acie was the son of the late John Ralph Gardner and Bertha Lewis Gardner.

On April 26, 1968, he married the love of his life, Judy Morgan Gardner, beginning a marriage of 58 years filled with love, devotion, and family.

Acie proudly served his country in the United States Army for 30 years, retiring as a Regimental Command Sergeant Major at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. Throughout his distinguished military career, he served two tours in Vietnam, and he earned numerous honors and awards, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal. His dedication to service continued after retirement through his volunteer work with the American Red Cross.

A faithful member of Fayetteville Christian Church, Acie was known for his unwavering faith, strong sense of duty, and deep love for his family. In his leisure time, he found great joy in fishing and hunting, hobbies that allowed him to appreciate the outdoors and create lasting memories with those he loved.

In addition to his parents, Acie was preceded in death by his brothers, Donald Gray Gardner and John Lee "Tony" Gardner and his sisters, Irene Gardner and Dorothy Kistler.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Judy Morgan Gardner; his daughter, Kristina Hinshaw and husband, Hunter; his sons, John Gardner and wife, Sitka, Brian Gardner and wife, Suzanne, and Michael Gardner; his sister, Ann Aylward; his grandchildren, Brandon Gardner, Madisen Gardner, Adam Gardner, Anika Gardner, Natalie Gardner, Annabelle Hinshaw, and Matilda Hinshaw; and two great-grandchildren, along with many extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at Cumberland Memorial Gardens.

Online condolences may be made at www.jerniganwarren.com

Funeral arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, N.C. 28301