Charles "Charlie" James Gardner

Charles “Charlie” James Gardner Jr., 77, of Branchville, South Carolina, formerly of Highlands, New Jersey, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on August 5, 2026. He was a United States Army Veteran.

He was born on July 14, 1949, in Long Branch, New Jersey, the son of the late Charles and Claudia Gardner. Charlie served in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1970. While there, he earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device.

He is survived by his son Charles Gardner III and his wife Jennifer, granddaughter Amber Gardner from Brick, NJ; and his brother Allan Bomhard from Florence, SC. He is also survived by his ex-wife Eileen Thomas from Middletown, NJ.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at a memorial service on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 4:00 PM at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Brick, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Disabled American Veterans (DAV.org).