James Henry Gardner, age 88 of Horse Cave, Ky, passed away Monday, April 6, 2026 at Signature Health Care of Hart County, with his loving wife at his side. He was a member of Horse Cave Baptist Church. He was retired from Cave Country Newspaper after 61 years, he also worked several years for Don Cainin job printing. He also printed a 16x20 colored picture for an artist Dexter Bowles of Glasgow, KY. He enjoyed fishing and hunting arrowheads.

He was the son of the late Henry Paul Gardner and the late Whitman Rucker Gardner.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Thomas Gardner; his sisters, Betty Jean Estes and Pauline Hoover; nephew, Johnny Estes; a niece and nephew-in-law, Ruth Ann Hoover McElroy and Tom McElroy.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Hazel Gardner of Greensburg, KY; one daughter, Paula Rogers (Jesse) of Ledbetter, KY; one granddaughter, Jennifer Smith (Ben) of Louisville, KY; a great-granddaughter, Taylor Smith of Louisville, KY; a niece, Rose Ann Denton (Jimmy) of McEwen, TN; four nephews, Paul Curtis Estes of Elizabethtown, KY, Bobby Estes of Munfordville, KY, David Estes of Munfordville, KY, and Frank Hoover of Glasgow, KY.

Honoring James' wishes cremation has been chosen and a graveside service will held at 2:00 PM CT on Monday, April 27, 2026 at Horse Cave Municipal Cemetery. Burial will follow there.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.brooksfuneralhomeky.com